Elizabeth (Beth) Jane Butler McLean

(Psalms 126:5)

Elizabeth (Beth) Jane Butler McLean of Atlanta, Georgia passed on January 21st, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Beth, an adored wife, mother, and grandmother, was a multi-generational native Atlantan and a true southern lady.

Beth was born in Atlanta, Georgia to Olive Elizabeth Fussell Butler and Warren Atherton Butler, Jr. on May 24th, 1949. She attended the Cathedral of Christ the King Elementary School, Dykes High School (near Chastain Park), and The University of Georgia, where she met her husband, Tom. Beth earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Oglethorpe University where she graduated with honors. Honor societies included Alpha Chi and Beta Omicron Sigma. At UGA, Beth pledged the social sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and later was actively involved as an alumna.

Beth enjoyed a career in the dental field for over twenty years where she collaborated with a team of women who became her lifelong friends. Her business acumen, attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to engage patients and put them at ease was a calming presence to all she encountered.

Beth’s strength of character and devotion to God was an inspiration to her family and all who knew her. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church and participated in parish organizations including the OLA Women’s Guild and Couples Dinner Club. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister at Emory/Saint Joseph’s Hospital.

Beth loved gardening and was a member of the Silver Lake Garden Club in her Brookhaven neighborhood. She also loved entertaining in her home, had a gift for interior design, and held a special place in her heart for animals. Beth was also enthusiastic about studying nutrition and its benefits. She loved trips to her “happy place” on Siesta Key, FL where she and Tom spent the winter months during retirement enjoying sunset blessed walks on the beach. Tom and Beth also spent many weekends boating and waterskiing on Lake Allatoona with their girls, Lisa and Amy, and later shared that joy with their grandsons, Aiden and Finn.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Olive and Warren Butler, Jr. She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-five years, Thomas Lee McLean, her daughters, Elisabeth Frances McLean (Tripp Sims), and Amy McLean Penka (Adrian Penka), her grandsons, Aiden McLean Penka and Finn Anderson Penka, all of Atlanta, Georgia, her brother-in-law, Robert Evan McLean (Sharon McLean), and her nephew, Evan Alan McLean (Shadia Amin), all of Woodstock, Georgia.

Services will be held privately with family. Arrangements are entrusted to H.M. Patterson & Son - Oglethorpe Hill.

In lieu of flowers, please join us in making a gift to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.

The family wishes to extend our sincere appreciation to The Mann House team at Northland Drive in Sandy Springs, Georgia for their excellent care.

“O comforter of our souls you are He who will wipe away all tears from our eyes. We will meet her again in heaven where we will find only joy together in the presence of God.”