Mary Lou Butler, 95, of Pensacola, FL, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, November 11, 2020.

Mary Lou was born in Tarrant City, AL, on March 14, 1925 to the late Forrest Wright and William Otto Garner, Sr. She had one sister, Nellie Hugh, and two brothers, W. O. and Jack. When she was 11 years old, the family moved to Pensacola, FL. She graduated from Pensacola High School in 1943 where she had taken Diversified Co-operative Training (DCT). She worked for Fisher Brown Insurance. Mary Lou married Thomas Franklin Butler, Jr. on August 15, 1944. He served in WWII and received the bronze star. When the war ended, he was discharged and went to work at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola where he retired in 1977. After WWII, Mary Lou worked at Sacred Heart Hospital doing secretarial work. They had two sons, Thomas Lynn born February 16, 1948 and James Elwood born October 18, 1950.

Through the County Extension Agency, Mary Lou became interested in sewing. She learned the Bishop Method of Sewing and taught classes in the 60's and 70's. She enjoyed attending workshops in New Orleans, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

She was a member of Heights Baptist Church and later attended East Brent Baptist Church. In the 80's, she became very interested in music. She loved playing the piano and leading in praise and worship.

Mary Lou had three great joys in her life – her husband, her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and her family – especially the grandchildren, She spent hours playing in the floor with them, riding bicycles and 4-wheelers, taking them to the Bayou and sharing the love of Jesus with them.

Her Bible is worn and marked with many notes and verses. She loved the word of God.

She is preceded in death by her parents, W.O. Garner and Forrest Wright Garner; husband, Thomas F. Butler, Jr.; two brothers, W.O. Garner, II and Jack Garner; as well as a sister, Nellie Hugh Fillingim.

Survivors include sons, Thomas L. Butler (Belinda) of Montevallo, AL and James E. Butler (Martha) of Pace, FL; grandchildren, Perry Butler (Amber), Joshua Butler, Holly Hope (Robert), Micah Butler (Stephanie), and Timothy Butler (Lauren); as well as great-grandchildren, Ava & Avelyn Butler, Amiah Butler, Trey, Claire Kate, King & Red Hope, Lily & Noah Butler.

Visitation will be held 11:00am until a Funeral Service to begin at 12:00 noon Monday, November 16, 2020, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Rev. Robert Hope, officiating. Interment will follow at Bayview Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Perry Butler, Joshua Butler, Robert Hope, Micah Butler, Ray Peoples, and Jerry Garner.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Gideons International, To make a gift by phone, call toll-free 1-866-382-4253
or send to the address below:
The Gideons International Processing Center
P.O. Box 97251
Washington, DC 20090-7251