Mrs. Virgie Mary Young Butler, 97, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 in Beaumont, Texas.

A memorial graveside service for Mrs. Butler will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Live Oak Memorial Park and Cemetery in Beaumont, Texas, with the practicing of 6 ft social distancing and facial masks required. A public viewing for  Mrs. Butler will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 p.m. at Mercy Funeral Home Chapel with the practicing of 6 ft social distancing and facial masks required.

The Life Of

Mrs. Virgie Mary Young Butler

"I will praise the Lord at all times:  His Praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Psalm 34:1

Virgie Mary Young Butler (affectionately known as Aunt Virgie and Aunt Mert) peacefully departed this world on Wednesday morning, April 21, 2021.  She was born on June 21, 1923, in Opelousas, Louisiana to the parents of Rosella Ware and Thomas Young.   Virgie was the third of four siblings.   She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Alphonse Butler, brothers, Elton Young and Leonard Young.

Her parents moved to Beaumont when she was two years old. Virgie attended Pipkin Elementary School and graduated with honors from Charlton-Pollard High School in 1939. She graduated a year earlier than expected due to her academic excellence.  After high school, she completed courses at Lincoln Business College of Beaumont enabling her to be very efficient with excellent skills in typing, shorthand and filing.

On May 1, 1946, she married Alphonse Butler. This union was blessed with a daughter, Shirley Owens, a grandson, Eric Owens and a great grandson, Tyler Owens.

For over 52 years, she and her husband owned and operated two Butler Shell Service Stations on North Pearl Street and Fannett Road .  After retirement in 1998, Virgie was afforded more time to bless her church family and friends with her amazing arts and crafts.

This faithful servant of God was raised in the Christian faith and was baptized at St. James Methodist Church, AME (St. James United Methodist Church) where she served faithfully.  After her marriage to Mr. Butler, she transferred her membership to Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church. Virgie's life and legacy of service were grounded by her faith in God and belief that through Him all things are possible.  She was a very faithful member at Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church where she was very active in many church activities, including serving as chairperson of the Deaconess Board, Superintendent of the Department II Sunday School, member of the Senior Choir, Baptist Training Union Director, and member of the Azmore Callie Circle where she truly enjoyed helping others in the community with various acts of kindness. Virgie received many honors and recognition for her services to the church and the Trinity Valley Baptist District Association where she served as Financial Secretary/Treasurer and Secretary of the Women's Auxiliary. She looked forward each year to attending the Trinity Valley Baptist District Association Conference.

As a graduate of Charlton-Pollard High School, she was a member of the Alumni Association and was honored as a Grand Marshall of the Charlton-Pollard High School Alumni Association Parade.  Virgie and her sister have attended every CPHS Alumni Reunion including the Reunions held in Los Angeles and Oakland, California.

Her beautiful memory will be forever cherished by her daughter, Shirley Owens; sister-Lela Mae Young both of Beaumont, TX; grandson, Eric Owens; great grandson, Tyler Owens, both of Houston, TX;

sister-in-law, Elouise Young; nieces, Joan Stewart, Rozetta Ceasar both of Beaumont, TX and Olivia Ray of Humble, TX. Lois Hayward, Houston, Tx.;  nephews, Garland Young (Etta) of Houston, TX, Keith B. Young of Tyler, TX; Robert Lomax (Minnie), Paul Lomax both of Beaumont, TX and a host of other relatives and friends.