Marjorie Butler

Marjorie Fippen Butler, 92, was born May 18, 1917, in Hamilton County, Indiana, near the town of Atlanta, to the late William Alexander and Sarah Marjorie (Hardy) Fippen. She passed away October 31, 2009, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Butler graduated from Atlanta High School in 1934 as valedictorian after skipping one grade. She received a scholarship for being the top scholar in the county, but was unable to start college until 1938 when at age 21 she enrolled at Purdue University. She was an honors graduate in 1942 receiving Bachelor’s degrees in both English and Home Economics education.

On July 11, 1942, she married the man she had her first date with, when they were both 16, to a church social. She and Robert Ross Butler were soul mates who were married 58 years prior to his death on July 24, 2000. Together they raised their son, David William Butler and daughters, Alice (Fred) Cordes and Anne Reach, all residing in Mooresville. Survivors also include grandchildren, Christine Fletcher of Belton, Texas, Amanda Butler of Hilton Head, South Carolina, Heather Hunter of Port Neches, Texas, Jennifer Cordes of Indianapolis, Ryan Reach of Amo, Indiana, and Christopher Reach of Camp Verde, Arizona. Her great grandchildren, Courtney, Andrew, Ryan, Sarah, Matthew, and John, were the light of her life.

Mrs. Butler began her teaching career in Fairburn, Georgia, where she was a “Yankee” teaching English to high school kids who claimed the could not understand her accent. She taught Home Economics and English at Mooresville Junior High and Home Economics at Plainfield Junior High, before ending her career to care for her mother.

Mrs. Butler was a lifelong member of the Disciples of Christ faith, spending more than 50 years at First Christian Church in Mooresville. She was awarded the Bucker Award in 2004 for her dedication to and work for the church. She served on the board of Directors and as President of the Mental Health Association in Morgan County for many years, and was honored by them in 1997 for her dedication for speaking out for those who cannot always speak for themselves.

In 1986, she began meeting with her pastor, two other pastors, and their representatives to see how the community could more effectively meet the needs of low-income families. She served on the board of the Churches in Mission from the time of incorporation until her death, serving as President multiple times. She was instrumental in the writing of the Mission bylaws and was passionate about making sure there was always food on the pantry shelves. The board honored her in 2007.

In 1959, Mrs. Butler helped start a chapter of the National Philanthropic Sorority Delta Theta Tau in Martinsville, and one year later, in 1960, was instrumental in organizing the Lambda Nu Chapter in Mooresville. Serving as its first president, she was a true Delt, attending numerous national and province conventions, and serving s the Convention Coordinator and Province Chairman for central Indiana. She never shied away from chairing a committee or taking on a new challenge. In 2003, at the sorority’s 100th anniversary celebration at their National Convention, Mrs. Butler was presented the highest award given a chapter member for her dedication to her chapter and the organization’s goal of philanthropy.

In addition to serving the community in her own way, she was involved with her children as a Cub Scout Den Mother, Girl Scout Leader, 4-H leader, and as Guardian of Job’s Daughters.

Many more lives were touched that never knew her name as she and her husband were often the anonymous donors providing food, paying a light bill, buying school books, purchasing shoes or glasses, or whatever else was needed to make someone’s life easier. Being a woman of modest means, she often said how blessed she was by her riches. Mrs. Butler never met a stranger and would strike up a conversation wherever she happened to be.

Friends and family will gather on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 3 to 8 p.m., in the Carlisle & Son Funeral Chapel, Mooresville. Funeral services to celebrate her life will begin at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2009, in First Christian Church, 525 N. Indiana St., Mooresville. The committal service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in East Union Cemetery, near Atlanta, Indiana. Memorial contributions may be made to Churches in Mission, 27 S. Indiana St., Mooresville, IN 46158.