Lillian Swinson Butler

Lillian Swinson Butler departed this life on September 16, 2025. She was born February 16, 1927, in Duplin County, NC as the third child of Daniel Webster Swinson and Alice Rountree Boyette Swinson. She grew up on the family farm in Warsaw, NC, where she and her siblings helped with various crops, particularly tobacco, and livestock.

Lillian attended Meredith College, making her the first member of her family to attend college. She majored in Home Economics and was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1948. Upon graduation, she went to work for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, as a home economics agent in Chowan County. It was during this time that she met James Kenneth (Jim) Butler, Jr., who was an agricultural agent in adjacent Perquimans County. The couple wed on October 27, 1950, and remained married until Mr. Butler’s death in 2011. The couple returned to Raleigh, where Mr. Butler pursued a Master of Science degree in Animal Science. During this period, Lillian worked as a laboratory technician for the Food Science Department of N.C. State University.

In 1957, the family moved to Smithfield, VA, where Mr. Butler worked for Gwaltney Inc. They remained in Smithfield until 1965, when they returned to Raleigh and Mr. Butler began work as the Executive Secretary of the North Carolina Pork Producers Association. Lillian worked as a homemaker until both of her children reached school age. She was able to return to work in Food Science, later transferring to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. She was eventually promoted as the supervisor of the Department’s feed and forage testing laboratory and retired after 30 years of service.

Lillian not only worked full time, but also continued to manage the home, finances, and shopping. She and Jim were active in the Ridge Road Baptist Church, and she was active in the Women’s Club. She was a member of the Three No Trump Bridge Club. Lillian was known to friends and family as a skilled cook, and she tried new recipes regularly. After retirement, she travelled extensively, usually with one or more of her close friends. Among other destinations, she visited southern Italy, the Greek islands, Ireland, and Turkey.

In addition to her husband, Lillian was predeceased by her parents; sister Evelyn Swinson Corbett and brother-in-law Graham Corbett; brother Daniel Warren Swinson; sister Dollie Swinson Kornegay and brother-in-law Morris Kornegay; brother-in-law Harvey C. Allen; brother-in-law Elmo Butler and sister-in-law Joyce C. Butler; sister-in-law Betty Butler Jernigan and brother-in-law Milton Jernigan; and sister-in-law Margaret B. Pritchard and brother-in-law William F. Pritchard.

She is survived by her children James Kenneth Butler III, of Raleigh and Barbara Ann Butler Comyn and husband Patrick Comyn of Madison, VA; sister Thelma Swinson Allen; grandchildren Caroline Alaire Comyn, and her husband Nitish Chandra, Daniel James Patrick Comyn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the many caregivers who provided services, particularly over the past four years, including those from Susan Meares and associates, HomeChoice Home Care Solutions, and Transitions Life Care. During her last year, she received exceptional care from Letha, Alice, Hannah, Esther, Jane, and Christine. The dedicated and caring service from all her caregivers was essential to the goal of keeping her in her home until the end.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ridge Road Baptist Church, 2011 Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either Ridge Road Baptist Church or the Butler Livestock Endowment at N.C. State University: go.ncsu.edu/butlerlivestockendowment

Brown-Wynne, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Butler family.