Ara “Teeny” Lee Butler, of Newport News, passed away on January 26, 2020. Teeny was born July 5, 1928 in Warwick, VA, and was a life-long resident of the Newport News-Williamsburg area. He has been a member of Northside Christian Church since 1993. He was preceded in death by his son, Ara Jr; parents, Charles and Kate Butler; sisters, Elsie and Laura; and brothers, Charles, Ernest, Joseph.
He served in the Army for four years from 1948 to 1952. He was stationed in CA and also in Europe. He was in communications and trained outpost observers during the Korean War. Upon his return, he worked at C&P Telephone/Bell Atlantic for 33 years and then retired. He later learned woodworking and created some beautiful pieces. As an active participant of the Hilton Village Theater and the Warwick Junior Women’s Club, Teeny loved to perform. He had roles in Kiss Me Kate, Showboat and others; later he performed in variety shows dancing and singing. He was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and the Exchange Club; eager to volunteer his time and talents to support the community. Teeny loved life, his family and friends, and never knew a stranger. He could sing and dance at the drop of a hat and knew a song for every occasion.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Sexton Butler; his five daughters, Thaba Lynn Martin, Jennifer Robin Bourne, Dana Anne Robertson, Ramona Lee Cregger and Shannon Irene Wyatt; stepdaughter, Sharon Sexton Andrews; stepsons, Tim Sexton and Michael Sexton; 14 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive family and friends from 3:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, January 31, 2020 at Stubblefield Funeral Home. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Teeny’s life. Teeny will be interred at Creech’s Chapel Community Cemetery in Whitesburg, TN on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis TN 38101-9929.
Arrangements by Stubblefield Funeral Home, Morristown, TN
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