Rebecca Ann Gregory Butler, 82, of the Rome community, left this earth for her heavenly home on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Ann was born in Smith County on April 13, 1942, to the late Holland and Thelma Thompson Gregory.
At a young age, she dedicated her life to the Lord at Plunkett’s Creek Missionary Baptist Church. She married the love of her life, the late J.D. Butler, on May 31, 1958. Together, they ran Rock City Truck Stop in Smith County, City Café in Hartsville, 231 Crossroads in Castalian Springs, and Cloverland and Four Winds Truck Stop in Lebanon. In total, the couple was in the restaurant business for more than three decades prior to J.D.’s passing on Feb. 18, 1992. Ann then continued in the family business for another 20-plus years. All in all, the number of meals J.D. and Ann served was perhaps only surpassed by the number of friends they made.
Ann loved her family deeply. She was affectionately known by her children as “Big Mama” and as “Nannie Butler” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The keeper of family photographs and life’s mementos, she was often described as “one of a kind” by those who knew and loved her, her contagious laugh, and her unforgettable sense of humor. She also loved redbirds and strawberries, which was of little surprise considering her favorite color was red.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by son, Joey Butler; brothers, Guinn Gregory and Jerry Mitchell Gregory; brother-in-law, Clyde Butler; and sisters-in-law Pauline Clark, Olene Harwell, Audean Dias, and Erlene Stewart.
She is survived by her children, Dianne (Rickey) Harville, Jeffrey Butler, James “Bobo” (Connie) Butler, Johnny (Tammie) Butler, and Rena Butler; grandchildren, Brian Harville, Angela “Sissy” (Greg) Fantom, Krista (Daniel) Butterworth, Beth Curtis, J.D. (Julia) Butler, Jon Butler, and Dara Jo Haynes; great-grandchildren, Brooks Harville, Jaxon Scott, James David Butler, and Greta Kate and Benjamin Butterworth; sisters, Sue Carr, Rose Beech, Inez Gibbs, and Emily Key; brother-in-law, Roger “Bud” (Linda) Butler; sister-in-law, Brenda Powell Butler; and many nieces, nephews, and other loving family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. until funeral services at 3 p.m. at Partlow Funeral Chapel in Lebanon. Burial will follow in Smith County Memorial Gardens in Carthage. Bro. Floyd Massey will officiate the services. The family kindly requests visitors include red in their attire in honor of Ann’s memory.
Pallbearers will be Rickey Harville, Brian Harville, J.D. Butler, Jon Butler, Greg Fantom, and Daniel Butterworth.
PARTLOW FUNERAL CHAPEL in care of arrangements. 615-444-7007 www.partlowchapel.com
For more obituaries visit https://wilsoncountysource.com/obituaries/
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