Effie Lou Butler Denenea

Effie Lou Butler Denenea, 92, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026 at her home in Covington, Louisiana. Born on May 30, 1933, in Mer Rouge, Louisiana, Effie was a devoted homemaker and the mother of seven children, whose steady care and generous spirit extended far beyond her immediate household.

Daughter of the late William Carlos Butler and the late Eva Mae Laing Butler. Effie was married to the late Anthony Joseph Denenea, Sr. She was the loving Mother of Anthony "Tony" Joseph Denenea, Jr. (Peggy), Mary Ford (Jack), Valda Lyn Goodson (the late Billy), Ronald Denenea (Elizabeth), Anna Denenea, Charles Denenea, and William Denenea (Vickie). Grandmother of Shanlynn Denenea, the late James Earl Denenea, Clarence Denenea, Dustin Denenea, Jenny Denenea, Jake Russell, Elizabeth Ford Hebert (Blake), Diana Ford McClain (Patrick), Ronald "R2" Denenea (Heather), Andrew Denenea, Thomas Denenea (Jennie), William Denenea, Megan Denenea, and Ashely Jolly (Rick). Effie was the sister of Jeptha Butler, Owen Butler, and the late Henry Grady Butler, Harry Butler, Carlos Ray Butler, Hazel Sutton, Mae Hope Hester, and Martha Harvey. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Effie graduated from Mer Rouge High School in 1950, where she was a talented four-star basketball player. After high school, Effie spent seven years living in New Orleans, including one year of studies at Charity School of Nursing.

She lived on Million Dollar Road for 62 years, building a life marked by dedication, perseverance, and faithful service to others.

A hardworking and capable woman, Effie was known for her many skills and her willingness to care for others. In addition to raising her family, she also cared for nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends. She worked as an associate at Walmart, and she was widely admired for her gifts as a seamstress and her talent in crocheting, needlepoint, and many other crafts.

Effie had a true green thumb, tending both vegetable and flower gardens with pride and patience. She also canned produce from her garden and faithfully tended to barn animals, including milking cows—work she approached with the same quiet diligence that defined so much of her life.

Effie was a member of Red Bluff Baptist Church in Folsom, Louisiana, where she taught Sunday School and Bible School and actively participated in the church craft group. Her faith and service were evident in her consistent involvement and the care she showed to her church family.

Effie will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude for a life rooted in family, faith, and steadfast work, and for the many ways she nurtured and supported those around her.

A Memorial Graveside Service will be held at 10:00AM on Saturday, May 30th, 2026 at Mer Rouge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to https://samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/effie-lou-butler-denenea-covington-la/