Funeral services for Mr. Vernon Terrell Butler were conducted Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, at 2 p.m.. at Phalti Baptist Church.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.  Rev. Wade Mathis and Rev. Billy Bridges officiated.  Mr. Butler, age 83, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord late Sunday morning, Jan. 16, 2022, at Magee General Hospital in Magee.

Saulters Moore Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Butler was born Aug. 21, 1938, in Jefferson Davis County to John Ethel and Susie Lee Butler.  As a young man, he enlisted in the Army National Guard, where he served as a cook.  Afterward, he spent most of his career as a Foreman for Jefferson Davis County.  Mr. Butler raised his family in the Clem community where, on his small farm, he raised a garden, cattle and hogs.  A yearly event that his family remembers very well was hog killing day on Thanksgiving.  From the kids scraping the slaughtered hog, to the elder women getting the chitterlings ready, this big day was truly a family affair, and nothing was wasted but the “squeal.”  Later the same night, all the family members enjoyed a huge feast of fresh pork.   Besides having a passion for Southern Gospel Music, Mr. Butler enjoyed watching his RFD television station, where he regularly tuned into the Price Is Right and his favorite sports broadcasts.  He will also be remembered as a great cook; his family recalls wonderful meals that included his fried cornbread and homemade pancakes.  Mr. Butler was also known for his good humor; enjoying fun gadgets of all sorts, such as the “Big Mouth Billy Bass” singing fish and other prank toys.  He was a member of Phalti Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Nollie Butler; his parents, John Ethel and Susie Butler; two step-daughters, Theresa Halbert and Doris Temple; two step-sons, Jimmy Mathis and Alton Mathis; his grandson, Reginald Butler and two brothers, Ethel Ray Butler and J.N. Butler.

Mr. Butler’s memory will be cherished by his daughter, Nollie “Tera” Butler of Clem; his step-son, Terry Mathis (Sherry) of Clem; a step-daughter, Kathy Lytle (Dennis) of Lonestar; three sisters, Hazel Bridges of Whitesand, Inez Hall of Mt. Olive and Irma Mae McInnis of Clem; 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and a host of great-great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers were, Tom Hall, Tim Hall, Kyle Mathis, Andrew Smith, Chris Griffith, Charles Halbert and James Reynolds.

The family received friends on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022, from noon until the hour of service at 2 p.m. at Phalti Baptist Church.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com