Nellie Butler

March 22, 1927 - December 13, 2020

Nellie Edwards Butler, 93, formerly of Greenwood, widow of Merlin W. Butler, Sr., died Sunday, December 13, 2020. Born in Swainsboro, GA, she was a daughter of the late Columbus Jackson and Maggie Lee Truett Edwards. Over the years, she and her husband had fostered over 500 children through the Department of Social Services. She was of the Baptist faith. She is survived by her daughter, Jane B. Stokes (Dale) and sons, Walter Butler (Rhonda), Arthur Butler, Merlin Butler, Jr. and Shawn Butler; a brother, Bennie Edwards (Barbara); 17 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 10 great great grandchildren. In addition to her husband of 55 years, Nellie was also preceded in death by grandsons, Michael Stokes and Henry Merlin Butler; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Butler; her sister, Callie Lamb; and brothers, Clarence, Truman, Jack, Alden, George, Truett, Floyd and Wallace Edwards and Carlos Boatwright. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at Oakbrook Memorial Park with Mr. Mike Jones officiating. The service will be recorded and will be available for viewing later by visiting Nellie’s life tribute page at www.harleyfuneralhome.com, where messages may be left for the family. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association by visiting www.alz.org.