Jerry and Linda Butler

Judy Carolyn Malone Butler
March 11, 1940 - March 27, 2019

Judy Carolyn Malone Butler, born March 11, 1940 in Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on March 27, 2019 with her husband of 56 years, William Ralph Butler by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon L. and Willie Mae Ursery Malone. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her sons, Jonathan (Emily) and Stephen (Pam); her four grandchildren Lily, Sam, Victoria and William; her brother, Lewis Malone (Jackie); and sisters, Freddie Power and Billie Kay Axley (Danny).

Judy grew up around Old Hickory and would often refer to her time on the farm and in her father’s grocery store as where she developed her strong work ethic. She graduated from Dupont High School in 1958 and went on to George Peabody College (now Vanderbilt University) to earn her Bachelor's degree in Education and eventually her Master’s and Ed. S degrees in Library Science as well. It was during her undergraduate years that she met her future husband at the Christian Student Center. After graduation, they were married in 1962. While Ralph pursued advanced degrees at the University of California Berkeley, Judy began her education career, teaching in elementary schools nearby.

Upon returning to Tennessee in 1970, Judy dedicated her life to Christian education, serving as both a teacher and librarian for more than 30 years at West End church of Christ Kindergarten, Goodpasture Christian High School, David Lipscomb High School and Lipscomb University. She served as one of the teachers for the women’s Bible class at the Crieve Hall church of Christ, and as librarian for the church library.

Throughout her life Judy held on to her strong faith in Jesus Christ her Savior, and passed on her love of books, her appreciation for music, and her strong work ethic to her sons. As her health declined, she held strong to her faith and kept a smile on her face; forever the teacher, giving one final lesson to all of us on how to respond to life’s adversity.

We are happy that you're not in pain any more Mom, we know you're free. We will miss your lessons, and we will miss your love, but we will see you again.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 12:00 noon (Visitation 10 a.m. - 12 noon) at Crieve Hall Church of Christ, 4806 Trousdale Drive, Nashville, TN 37220 by Wavell Stewart and Tim Frizzell. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers: Edith Tucker's Ladies Bible Class, Staff of Beaman Library, Lipscomb University and Elders and Deacons of the Crieve Hall church of Christ. Active Pallbearers: Adam Butler, Carl Cheatham, Dennis Hood, David Howard, Jay Power and Fletcher Srygley. Memorial contributions may be made to Crieve Hall Church of Christ Preschool-Mother’s Day Out, Beaman Library at Lipscomb University or AGAPE.

Woodbine Funeral Home, Hickory Chapel 615-331-1952.