Obituary: Hazel Sutton Butler

Hazel Sutton Butler, age 89, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

Mrs. Butler was born Oct. 26, 1924, in Sparta, Tenn., before moving to Oak Ridge, then later to Oliver Springs where she and her husband co-owned and operated Butler’s Florist from 1955 to 1997.

She was an avid bowler and participated in bowling leagues for many years. She also loved playing basketball, and she played on the Y-12 team in the Tennessee Eastman league, winning the Southern Appalachian AAU championship during the 1946-47 season.

She was a member of the Oliver Springs United Methodist, where she was active in the United Methodist Women, holding offices in both local and district levels.

In addition to her late husband, Albert C. Butler Jr., she was also preceded in death by parents, Robert Lucius and Beulah Sutton; by a daughter, Beulah Butler; by sisters, Kittie Lou Sutton and Mary Etta Hinson; and by a brother, Ralph Sutton.

Mrs. Butler is survived by a son, Al Butler and wife Lynn, of Duluth, Ga.; by a daughter, Suzanne Johnson and husband Lyndon, of Oliver Springs; by a granddaughter, Michelle Leedy and husband Andrew, of Augusta, Ga.; and by a great-granddaughter, Onyka Leedy. She is also survived by numerous, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and special friends.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the ICU and Hospice nursing staff at Methodist Medical Center during Mrs. Butler’s latest illness. They also want to express their love and gratitude to her caregiver, Aggie Wood, who contributed so greatly to Mrs. Butler’s quality of life during the last several years of declining health.

The family will receive friends Saturday, Nov. 16, between 1 and 3 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at the Oliver Springs United Methodist Church with Reverend’s John Justice, John Slater, and John Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Anderson Memorial Gardens.

Sharp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book is available at www.sharpfh.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Oliver Springs United Methodist Church.