EULOGY
Andy Butler (son)
I believe God gives us gifts and talents at birth, but it is up to us to maximize those gifts. One of my mother’s gifts was that of service to others. Service was a common cord that ran through her life.
My Mom adopted 3 children- Tim in 1968, me in 1970, and our Vietnamese sister, Linda in 1978. In addition to adoption, she and my Dad were pivotal sponsors of numerous families from Vietnam when their government collapsed there in the late 70’s. My parents spent over 25 years looking after these families, loving on them and helping them become American citizens.
Thanksgiving mornings were spent delivering turkeys to those less fortunate in the area and after retiring my mother became the township supervisor. She found joy in helping to serve the people of her community.
Internationally and for over 40 years, my mom donated every single month to the Children’s Fund - a charity that helps support children in Africa. To this point, after her death I I found a notebook that she used as a message board. It was full of thoughts and information that she wanted to leave us. One of the last sentences she wrote was this, “You can never do your best if you insist on putting yourself first.”
Well mom, you NEVER put yourself first. In the 50 years that I was blessed with you- you absolutely did your best. I know Jesus met you with the greeting, “Well done you good and faithful servant.”
We all love you and miss you already, but we will see you again and celebrate.
Keith Manville (brother)
In writing this for Sue, I asked our cousin to describe her. She said, “She was always so cool.”
Sue was always so cool. I remember her being very comfortable around animals. Sue loved horseback riding, and growing up had an arrangement with the folks across the street to ride their horse named Whiskey fairly regularly. She always had a dog, even as a child. Her first baby-sitter was a springer spaniel named Topper. Then, an Irish setter named Red, a mutt named Poncho, and when she moved away, she had several beagles, one at a time. There were adventures with Lorenzo (the lamb), the farm, and the strawberry patch that will live forever in the Butler family history.
Horses were not the only things she loved to ride. The ride-on lawn mower was right up there. Further, Sue was an avid baseball fan. Her brownies met with high acclaim. She loved the ocean from the Maine coast to Sanibel Island, with the Chincoteague Island National Wildlife Refuge somewhere near the middle. She thoroughly enjoyed a good jig saw puzzle with a glass of Riesling wine. Sue’s heart was always concerned with those less fortunate and I remember her religiously handing out turkeys on Thanksgiving morning.
Sue was always so cool, as our cousin stated. She will be missed.
OBITUARY
Peacefully and surrounded by family, Carroll ‘Sue’ Butler, passed away on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at the age of 78.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Tim Butler and Andy (Summer) Butler; grandchildren: Alexis, Jessica, Patriot, Creed, and Eli; as well as numerous relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 50 years, Tom; and her parents Keith and Carroll Manville.
Sue was born on September 1, 1942 in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Keith and Carroll (McLaughlin) Manville. She received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Government from Syracuse in 1964 and a master’s degree from Michigan State in 1976. Sue worked in the legal fields for over twenty years.
A private service will be held at the family’s request. Together, Tom and Sue will be laid to rest this summer at the Windsor Township Cemetery in Diamondale, Michigan.
Memorial Donations may be made in Sue’s name to Children’s Fund at the following link: https://www.childfund.org/Ways-To-Donate/ . Sue has donated to the Children’s Fund since 1981 and this charity held a special place in her heart.
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Harbor Chase in McKinney and to Texas Home Health Care for their support, care, and compassion.