Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at FRENCH Funerals – Lomas in Albuquerque for Sarah Elizabeth “Libby” Butler.
Butler, 89, went to be with her Savior Dec. 9, 2015. She will be interred with her husband, Elmer, at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date.
Libby was the ninth of 14 children born to Isaac P. and Nora Johnson in Lake Arthur, where the family farmed.
She loved Jesus, children, and her family. She was a longtime teacher with the Albuquerque Public Schools at La Luz Elementary, Zuni Elementary, and Menaul School. She was a member of Grace Church, Fellowship Bible Church, and Highland Baptist Church.
She was active in Bible Memory Association, the Albuquerque Christian Women’s Club, AWANA, and the Women’s Missionary Union, and participated in the Albuquerque Association of Educational Retirees.
Survivors include her daughters, Elmyra Grelle and husband Nibby, and Beth Butler; son Bart Butler; daughter-in-law Gayle Kelsey; grandchildren Eric Grelle, Mandy Owliaie and husband Ben, Michael Joiner, Allan Butler and wife Sarah, Elise Grelle, and Christopher Butler and wife Brittany; several great-grandchildren; sisters Mary McCaw of Carlsbad, and Cleo Gossett and husband LeRoy of Ephrata, Wash.; brother William I. Johnson of Artesia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elmer Lee Butler; son Marshall Lee Butler; brothers Lamar, Herman, George and Charles; and sisters Lorene Lambert, Helen McCaw, Christine Butler, Edna Utterback, Oleta Cooper and Oneta Brown.
In lieu of flowers, Libby requested memorial donations be made to a favorite mission organization.
Arrangements are under the direction of FRENCH Funerals. Condolences may be expressed online at www.frenchfunerals.com.
