Mother Mary Savage Butler of 1801 Dorris Street, Cordele, Georgia passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the home of her daughter in  Atlanta, Georgia.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM in the sanctuary of the Gethsemane Baptist Church in Cordele, Georgia. The burial will follow at the Bethel Cemetery in Cordele, Georgia.

Mother Mary Savage Butler heard the call of God, put on her Angel wings, and ascended unto heaven at 5:15 pm on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at the home of her daughter, Evelyn Butler-Jones in Atlanta, Georgia. She transitioned peacefully surrounded by her daughters.

She and her twin brother, Joseph, were born on Friday, March 6, 1925, to her late parents, Eugene Savage and Mary Eliza Harris Savage.

At an early age, she joined Spring Creek Baptist Church in Leslie, Georgia. She transitioned this membership to Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Cairo, Georgia, and later moved to Cordele, Georgia, where she joined Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church.

A member of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church for 65 years, her work in the church included but was not limited to being a member of the gospel and senior choirs, a member of the Deaconess Board, Food ministry, president of the Mission Ministry for 45 years.  Her most proud position was being appointed Mother of the church, by Reverend Dr. L. D. Cobb, Sr.  She continued to serve in this role until her death.  Mother Butler was also an active member of the Gum Creek Missionary Baptist Association.

In addition to her parents, her husband of 49 years, Deacon  Aaron Butler, Sr., preceded her in death.  Her siblings: Alice Frison, Rosa Bynum, Benjamin Savage, Jewel Jones,  Ethel Williams, James Savage, Joseph Savage, and Florine Shorter; two grandsons and two great-grandsons, also precede her.

Although she received training in geriatric care as a nursing assistant, her love for cooking led her to seek employment at Blackshear Trail Elementary School. She retired from there in June 1990.

Mother Butler leaves a legacy of love to her eight children:   Eutha (Jesse) Canty, Earl (Johnnie) Butler, Dorothy (Jerry) Jackson, Aaron (Ruby) Butler, Jr., Elizabeth (Willie) Rosser, Evelyn Butler-Jones, Margie (Patrick) Manor, and Jacqueline (Leroyal) Statham; 13 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her passing, one cousin, John Mercer, four  devoted nieces:  Thelma Shootes, Debra Clark, Clara Woodard, and Alma Williams Telfair; a goddaughter, Brenda Dent    Redding; special friends:  Gerri Harvey Manning and Harold Reese and a host of other nephews, nieces, and friends.