Helen Virginia (Maree) Butler

Helen Virginia (Maree) Butler, 91, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, July 3, 2016, in Providence, Rhode Island. A long-time member of Olney Street Baptist Church, Mrs. Butler devoted her life and career to helping others and singing God’s praises with her beautiful voice and loving heart.

She is survived by one sister, Marcella (Maree) Goodwin, Charleston, SC; her five children, Yvonne J. Butler of Clearwater, FL, Victoria M. Ola of Providence, Michelle V. Depeza (Richard) of Providence, Gary W. Butler of Cranston, and Carolyn L. Butler of Providence; grandchildren Michael A. Grayson (Natalie), Ronelle Tutt Halfacre (Maddy), Nicole Herrington (Brian Young), William R. Tutt Jr, Alfred Green III (Michelle King-Green), Wesley Tutt (Elisette Pina), Denisha Ford, and Anthony Green;  great-grandchildren Solomon Grayson, Elias Grayson, Micah Grayson, Alfred Green IV, Trevor Green, Xavier Ferguson, Kayla Mitchell, Triniti Schell, King Tutt, and the late Jailani Maree Ford; great-great grandchildren; members of the Goodwin, Maree, Turner, Butler, Brown and Capers families; Dana Akers; William Tutt, Sr.; Zeta Amicae; as well as many friends and colleagues. Her parents, Isadore C. and Hurlene (Turner) Maree, and brother, Edward Maree, predeceased her.

Helen Butler was born in Walterboro, South Carolina on August 27, 1924. A graduate of Colleton High School and Avery Institute, she taught elementary school in Cottageville, SC during World War II, before marrying Victor W. Butler, her former husband currently of North Providence and a Tuskegee Airman who was training at the Walterboro Army Air Corps base when they met. They moved to Providence when the war ended.

“Mrs. B,” a name affectionately and respectfully bestowed her and used by young and old alike, dedicated her career years to community and youth work that began in the 1960s Civil Rights era, at Progress for Providence on Camp Street, Benefit Street Recreation Center, and the East Side YMCA. Later, she joined the pre-school and youth staff teams at the John Hope Settlement House from which she retired in 1994. Many of today’s dedicated workers, conscientious citizens, loving parents, and leaders, in Providence and beyond, may attribute some part of their successes and accomplishments to Mrs. B’s tough love and positive guidance she offered them at difficult times in the history of the City of Providence, the State of Rhode Island, and the country.

Helen Virginia Maree Butler was a true Renaissance woman who was always far ahead of her time.  She was a parent, a nana, a sibling, a mentor, a friend  . . .  a prayer warrior, a caregiver, a leader  . . .  a creative talent, a gifted singer, a cherished person who actually made tangible and intangible contributions to the world and its people. Helen Butler left this world a better place.

Her work on this earth is done. May she now rest in eternal peace.

 Service Information