Person:Thomas Butler (99)

The Brewton Standard, February 1943: Prominent Resident Of Cross Roads Is Called By Death

Thomas Roberson Butler, one of the oldest and most widely known citizens of Escambia County, expired at his home near Barnett's Cross Roads on last Friday morning after a brief illness. In spite of his advanced age, Mr. Butler remained active until just a short time before his death, and his passing brought sorrow to countless friends throughout the section.

A native of Thomasville, Ga., where he was born on June 28, 1858, Mr. Butler spent his early life in that state, later moving to Dale County, Alabama. He moved with his family to this county in 1907 and soon became one of the most prosperous farmers residing in the section he selected for his home. Active in all church, community and political affairs, he contributed much to the development of this county and his influence was widely felt. He made his home near the Cross Roads con[?] after coming to Escambia County and although he was in his eighty-sixth year, was active in conducting his farming operations until he was stricken with his fatal illness in January of this year.

Funeral services were held from the residence on Saturday with Rev. W. A. Adams, pastor of the Baptist Church of which Mr. Butler was a staunch member, conducting. Interment was made in the New Bethlehem Cemetery with Higgins & Turner in charge.

Pallbearers were Sam Collins, Angus Dowling, Robert Godwin, Jonas C. Hendrix, Charlie Dawson and Elmer Grissett.

Deceased is survived by his widow; four sons, W. I. Butler, of Rt. 4, Alton Butler, Mobile, Curtis Butler, Brewton, and Sgt. Robert Butler, Camp Young, Calif.; six daughters, Mrs. O. E. Jordan, Brewton, Mrs. J. T. Turk, Mrs. J. W. Lee and Mrs. J. T. Hawkins, Route 4, Mrs. L. C. Lambert, Loxley, Ala., and Mrs. Harry Cook, Pascagoula, Miss.; two sisters, Mrs. Minnie Ward, Monticello, Fla., and Mrs. Byer C. Clark, Greensboro, N. C; two brothers, Robert Butler, Tampa, Fla., and Isaac Butler, Plant City, Fla.; thirty-five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Ms. Bobbie Fay (Butler) Evans, Thomas' grand-daughter, after having read the previous obituary, laughed and said, "Well he was certainly widely known , but he wasn't active in church and he certainly wasn't a staunch member." She went on to tell about one of his particularly non-Baptist pastimes... growing grapes and making his own wine in the barn, where he would sometimes disappear for hours at a time.

1. ↑ Find A Grave.

   Photo of Thomas' gravestone on FindAGrave.com