Jural Butler

Brother Jural Butler, affectionately known as “JB”, was born on Friday, March 3, 1939, in Lyons, Georgia, to the late George Butler and Lela May Mincey Butler. He passed away on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. JB attended school in Lyons, Georgia, until he relocated to Bridgeville, Delaware, at the age of 14. While living with his aunt, Ms. Lottie Mae Mincey Mitchell “Mom”, he attended Phillis Wheatley School. Jural met and married the love of his life, Doris Ann Batson. on Thursday, April 28,1988. Together they raised five children. He was a faithful member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Bridgeville, Delaware. Later, he became a life-long member of Bethel United Methodist Church of the Bridgeville Charge, in Federalsburg, Maryland. JB’s careers included working at the Seaford Ice Plant in Seaford, Delaware, and driving trucks and buses. While driving the “Big Rig”, he was best known as the “Rambling Rogue”. He made his final career change and worked at the Solo Cup Plant in Federalsburg, Maryland, and retired after 35 years of service. He enjoyed his time at Solo, bossing the bosses and encouraging co-workers. When he saw former co-workers, they always shared stories that began…“you remember when” and exchanged hugs, smiles and laughter. JB was a unique and extremely-talented man, who had the highest magnitude of love from his family and respect of his friends. He was a man who wore many hats and enjoyed and took pride in wearing them all. His reputation for writing poetry and reciting the speeches of the famous, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is well known throughout the community. Jural had a great love and respect for Dr. King and his accomplishments for the people. As time passed and Jural’s illness progressed, he would listen to others recite and if they did not recite correctly, he would go to them and gently share tips, correcting the speech and not the person. JB also enjoyed woodworking. He liked to share his charming smile and tell you “YOU KNOW I’M A JEWEL”. His humor was contagious and he got great pleasure from making others laugh. JB loved his children, grandchildren (to whom he gave his personal nicknames), great-grands and great-great grands. Each time one came around you would see him light up, and he would say, “you made my day”. Jural was a long-time member of the Masonic family, serving with a deep love and devotion. He was presently a Past Master of Temple Lodge #8, Milford, Delaware, Free and Accepted Masons, Prince Hall Affiliation, State and Jurisdiction of Delaware, and a member of the G. Oscar Carrington Consistory #93 of Milton, Delaware. Jural was preceded in death by two sisters; his twin; Julia Nickerson and Lela Pearl Neeley Kirby-Southall; one brother, George Butler and his daughter, Lisa Stanley. Jural leaves to cherish his loving memory, his wife of thirty years, Doris Ann Butler of Federalsburg, Maryland; one son, Eric Butler (Yvonne) of Federalsburg, Maryland; 3 daughters, Lynne Jones (Vernon) of Silver Spring, Maryland, Vanessa Draine of Federalsburg, Maryland and Wanda Bland (Willie) of Federalsburg, Maryland; one sister; Willie Mae Neeley of Lynwood, California; two brothers-in-law, Louis Batson (Rosalie) of Seaford, Delaware; George Batson (Vanessa) of Cambridge, Maryland; and one sister-in-law, Shirley Mae Batson of Seaford, Delaware; fifteen grandchildren: Eric Jamar Butler, Erica Butler, SheKeya Butler, Shon Beckett, Garrett Washington, Rydell Washington, Shyesha Church, Jaren Jones, Jourdan Jones, Vincent Stanley, Jr., Jeania Nickerson, SherRose Holmes (Brian), LaKeisha Hammond (Shawn), Ariel Thompson, and William Bland (SayKina); twenty-two great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, one devoted cousin, Betty Jo Holland, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lovingly submitted, The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jural Butler, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Jural Butler

March 3, 1939 - July 18, 2018