6/13/36 – 6/21/21
Phyllis Carol Goddard Butler was born June 13, 1936, in rural Ohio, number 17 of 19 siblings – imagine that.
She fell in love in high school and married her tall, dark and handsome sweetheart, Gene Butler, on June 16, 1957. After they married, Gene joined the Air Force, and Phyllis joined him in Germany where their first two children were born. After German, they moved to Long Island, N.Y., where their family grew to three children, 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Phyllis was a lover of animals, a writer of poetry, and a baker extraordinaire. The sound of her Sunbeam mixer was something everyone looked forward to. Her pies were second to none and she baked professionally for several years. She loved the holidays and loved decorating their home. Phyllis also worked in the restaurant service industry for 20 years and was very proud of the home that she and Gene built in the Hamptons.
After retiring, Phyllis and Gene moved to Murphy to live closer to family.
Many will miss Phyllis, but a piece of her lives on in the family and friends.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 64 years, Gene Butler; two brothers, Ralph Goddard and Bill Goddard; three children, Debra Butler, Larry Butler (Thea) and Kimberley Reef (Stephen); 10 grandchildren, Michelle, Shaun, Tara, Llynn, Ava, Austin, Sarina, Thea Belle, Dean and Celia; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 24, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were Austin Butler, Dean Butler, Keenan Longvielle, Steven Reef, Anthony Vasquez and Jeff House.
The family received friends from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Townson-Rose Funeral Home in Murphy.
You may send tributes to the Butler family at www.townson-rose.com.