Robert D. Butterworth

- Billy Graham

Our grandfather, Robert "Don" Butterworth came into this world on September 22, 1934. The Lord gave him eighty-nine abundant years on this earth before calling him home. He was the son of Susie & Robert Butterworth, and the brother to nine siblings: Jessie, Kenneth, Jimmy, George, Carl, Burton, and Maurice Butterworth, Francis Butterworth, and Linda (Butterworth) Harp. Don married Marjorie (Margie) Butterworth in 1951. They were blessed with 72 years of marriage that produced 2 sons, Robert and Donald (their time in this world was short) and 3 daughters, Donna (Butterworth) Hardcastle, Denise Butterworth, and Doris (Butterworth) Wilson. Their family of five later multiplied to include 6 grandchildren: Owen Hardcastle, Londa (Hardcastle) Morgan, Daniel Wilson, Derek Stinson, Shelea (Wilson) Monroe, and Kyle Stinson. The Lord continued to bless and multiply Don and Margie's family through 16 great-grandchildren: Sadie Hardcastle, Lily Hardcastle, Lawson Stinson, Adeline Hardcastle, Leah Stinson, Daniel James Monroe, Lyndon Stinson, Eaton Morgan, Kayleigh Monroe, Knox Morgan, Logan Stinson, Addisyn Hare, Layla Stinson, Neva Morgan, Daniel Wilson, Jr., and Motley Stinson. He is survived by more wonderful family members than we have space to list. Again, he lived 89 years of abundance.

Work was important to Don, but not what he would say defined his life. He started working with his father in the meat packing industry before he was 10 years old. He spent most of his career in this industry, working many years for Tennessee Pride and Oscar Mayer. Necessity dictated that Don start working as a child, and he took something that some would call a hardship and let it become a positive influence in shaping work ethic and integrity that never just applied to his job. He applied his high level of ethics and integrity to all of his roles in life, teaching those around him what it means to work hard, do the things that need to be done, do the right thing, and love others. If Don were telling his story, he would tell us that his work was to spread the gospel and take care of his friends and family. He did those things, and he did them well.

Don was strong and steady in character. Often quiet, but always listening. Slow to anger, but when he was angry you knew it was important. Always in the Word and sharing it with those around him through his actions and words. He was the rock of the family and to us, his grandchildren, he was our Pop and a second father. Pop was always a role model; always there to support; always there to spend time; always there for the important things and the little things; he was just always there. We're so grateful for all the car rides to school, stopping to enjoy a biscuit on the way. We will always laugh at the way he yelled at traffic lights, made up his own jingles to commercials on the radio, and shamelessly flirted with the crossing guards - and plenty of teachers too! He was the one we called if we wanted a later ride so we could sleep in. He was the one we called when we forgot something important for school and didn't want to call our parents. He was the one to carry us in when we wouldn't go on our own. He always had an open door for us, and he sat through all of our favorite shows just so he could record them for us on VHS tapes without the commercials. He gave the little things and big things all the time.

Don Butterworth left us to be with his Maker on April 5, 2024. His body was tired, and he was ready. He asked God to let him come home, and God gave him the peace of ending his earthly journey with his wife by his side and having had the opportunity to be surrounded by friends and close family for a final farewell. A faithful servant of God all his days, Don was prepared to leave this world, because he knew exactly where he was going. He rode off in his chariot to start the journey of his eternal life in heaven, and this is the greatest accomplishment of his life. He knew that his home is in heaven, but he left everlasting footprints on our hearts as he passed through this world. We are so blessed and grateful for Robert "Don" "Pop" Butterworth.

Visitation and funeral service will be held on Friday, April 12th at Faith Baptist Church in Madison, Tennessee where he worshiped his Lord with his beloved wife and church family for more than 60 years. Visitation begins at 10am; service will be held at noon. A graveside service will follow immediately at Hermitage Memorial Gardens in Old Hickory.

With the greatest love and admiration for our Pop,

The Grandchildren