Melba Butler
Melba Dennison Butler, age 89, passed away on Oct. 16, 2023, at Humboldt Healthcare & Rehab in Humboldt.
Funeral service will be Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Karnes & Son Funeral Home in Kenton, with burial to follow at Sunnyside Cemetery in Kenton.
Visitation will immediately precede the service from noon until 2 p.m. Serving as pallbearers are Dwaine Phillips, Justin Phillips, Tucker Phillips, Avery Phillips, Phillip Andrews and Pryce Andrews.
Mrs. Butler loved the Lord, her family, her church family and never met a stranger. Mrs. Butler, affectionately called Granny by her family and friends, is now in the presence of the Lord. She awaits her future glorified spiritual body.
Granny was raised poor and worked hard all of her life, but never stopped providing for and loving her family. She lived her life by 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. For years she took care of her handicapped mother until her passing. Then Granny took care of her ailing husband, Gene Butler, until his passing. Her love persevered.
Granny was the matriarch of the family, always hosting multiple family gatherings/meals each year. Those memories will live on through many generations. She was also devoted to her Church, Central Avenue Christian Church in Humboldt, where she served as Historian, Librarian, Deaconess and Co-chair of Christian Action Committee.
Mrs. Butler was preceded in death by her parents, Ulyses and Lavana Dennison of Kenton; and brothers, James and Charles Dennison. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Jimmie Phillips; her second husband, Gene Butler; daughter-in-law, Marsha Phillips; stepson, Tim Butler; and stepgrandson, William Butler.
Mrs. Butler is survived by two sons, Dwight Phillips (Jana) of Rives and Dwaine Phillips (Lisa) of Jackson; three stepchildren, Steve (Teressa) Butler of Lexington, Tenn., Randy (Brenda) Butler of Gadsden and Teresa (Bill) Brundige of Martin; five grandchildren, Jeana Beth Andrews (Stephen) of Hendersonville, Justin Phillips (Bobi) of Rives, Julie Wyman (Jordan) of Hendersonville, Tucker Phillips (Meagan) of Humboldt and Avery Phillips (Lauren) of Humboldt; 10 great-grandchildren, Phillip and Pryce Andrews, Ainsley Phillips, Weston and Jameson Wy-man, Nolan, Heath and Reese Phillips and Paxton and Vivi Blake Phillips. Mrs. Butler is also survived by several stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requests donations be made in memory of Mrs. Butler to: Central Avenue Christian Church, 1501 Osborne St., Humboldt, TN 38343.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.karnesandsonfuneralhome.com.
Published in The Messenger 10.18.23