Mrs. Helen Jean Butler

Helen Jean Evans Butler was born on August 10, 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee to the union of Leroy and Katherine Evans. She was the third oldest of her six siblings. She made her heavenly transition on May 22, 2020 at the age of 79. Helen graduated from Manassas High School in Memphis, Tennessee with honors and everyone that knew her, this was no surprise as she was and all throughout her adult life has always been the smartest person in the room. Helen went to pursue her post-secondary education by attending Lane College (A HBCU) Helen enrolled with the goal of studying Nursing and the desire to pledge AKA. Choosing an HCBU to continue her education was not a hard choice as it signified the ideals and character traits she exemplified Straight, Pride, Confidence Courage, installed and a Keen sense of Self-Identity/Ethnicity. ‘ Helen made sure that when she stepped outside of the house, her actions were reflective of the values and morals instilled in her from inside of the house. She loved children and oh how they loved her. She spent hours on end not only playing with them but teaching molding, shaping and showering them with love and affection all while building their self esteem and planting the foundation for all that they could and would become. Life being what it is in taken us all down many paths as was the care with Helen. During her college years she met her first love David Lee Cannon from Chicago, Illinois and from this union God graced her with her first born and only Rodney Lorne Evans. After her junior year at Lane she relocated to Chicago in where she met and married James Otis Butler, Sr. to whom she met and married for 42 years and from this union God graced her with her only daughter Sheliah Butler. Helen enjoyed cooking, sewing, cleaning and helping others. No one was a stranger in her eyes. She always made sure you felt comfortable loved and welcomed in her home. She had compassion for all and had a laugh that was golden. Helen retired from the Social Security Administration in Chicago, taken an early retirement from civil service to devote full time dedication to what she cherished most her family. She was so proud of Rodney and Sheliah and loved them dearly. Her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers and nieces and nephews were the joy of her life and to them she was their most precious jewel. She was the matriarch and backbone of the entire family. Her strength was unwavering. She was the glue that held everyone together. She is survived by her two children: Rodney (Sheila) Evans of Memphis, Tennessee and Sheliah Butler of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren: Arelle Evans, Taymandy Evans, Ashley Evans, Natasha Evans, Mark Butler, Adrian “AJ” Howard’s and Olivia Butler; three siblings: Arthur (Louis) Evans and Earnestine Noel both of Memphis, Tennessee and Janice Ross of Chicago, Illinois

Mrs. Helen Jean Butler

August 10, 1940 - May 22, 2020