Butler, Judy Carolyn Malone
Judy Carolyn Malone Butler, born March 11, 1940, in Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on March 27, 2019, with her husband of fifty-six 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 Degree and Ed. S. in Library Science as well. It was in 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 thirty 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 the 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 worth 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, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. till noon, at Crieve Hall Church of Christ, 4806 Trousdale Drive, Nashville, TN 37220. Wavell Stewart and Tim Frizzell will be conducting the services. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers: Edith Tucker’s ladies’ Bible class, the staff of Beaman Library at Lipscomb University, and elders and deacons of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ. Active Pallbearers include 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,15-331-1952.