Charlene P. Duffy Butler, age eighty-nine of Beaumont, Texas, passed peacefully from this earth on Friday, April 11, 2008, surrounded by her family.
Charlene was born March 14, 1919 in Houston, Texas to Emma Theresa Dreyling Duffy and Charles Gavin Duffy. She attended Houston schools and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1936. She worked as a secretary in Houston after graduating from business school. She married Elbert Elwood Butler on May 4, 1939.
They moved to Beaumont with their children Suzanne and Robert, later joined by daughter Barbara and had a happy life. She was a faithful room mother, cub mom and bluebird leader for her children. She loved participating in her children’s activities.
She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and was a charter member of Saint Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Beaumont. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and San Souci Dance Club and loved to play bridge. Charlene and Elwood loved to travel and took many cruises and overseas adventures together. As our dad always said, “She was planning another before the plane landed”.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elbert Elwood Butler; and two sisters, Inez Carter and Mary Elizabeth Smith.
Charlene is survived by her three children, daughter, Suzanne Butler Shaver and husband Roy of Kerrville; son, Robert Elwood Butler and wife Linda of Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Barbara Butler Valka and husband Bill of Spring; sister, Lois Lindsey of Austin; grandchildren, Robert Kevin Burchfield and wife Pam of Beaumont, Shawn Burchfield Font and husband Bruce of Beaumont, Sam Butler and wife Robyn of San Angelo, Chad Burchfield of Brenham, Tom Butler of Canyon, Christopher Valka of Toronto, Michael Valka and wife Rachael of Katy; great grandchildren, Brittany Burchfield, Joshua Font, Caleb Butler, Kara Butler, Caitlyn Font and John Michael Valka; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 14, 2008 at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. at Garden of Memories Cemetery in Lufkin under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Rosary will be recited 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 13, 2008 with a gathering of family and friends to follow at the mortuary.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Charlene’s loving caregivers, Lorraine Teniert, Thelma Loften, Aundria BeBe Johnson, Phyllis Iglesias, and Edna Morris who gave such loving care to our mom. We also appreciate the care given by Southern Oaks Hospice.
Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimers Association, 440 North 18th Street, Beaumont, Texas 77707 and Brenham State School, 4001 Hwy 36 South, Brenham, Texas 77833.
