Mr. Larry Marlon Butler, 82

Mr. Larry Marlon Butler, 82, of Hazlehurst, passed away March 9 at his home under the gentle care of Coastal Hospice, surrounded by his small family.
Larry was born July 31, 1943, during the tumultuous period of WWII in the home of his late parents who were sharecroppers, Fred and Lola Butler in Bacon County. He was educated in Bacon, Appling and Coffee counties, becoming old enough to secure a job cutting meat as a teenager for Aldine Smith at Smith’s Grocery in Douglas. After leaving Douglas to pursue a more fulfilling career, he moved to Hazlehurst in 1966. Larry met his wife, Brenda, at Ms. Lettie Taylor’s Boarding House on Latimer Street shortly after moving there. They married on May 5, 1968, and were led to a saving faith in Jesus by John Dykes and Ronald Wilcox in their home through the Visitation Ministry of Southside Baptist Church. They were baptized and joined the church Aug. 18, 1968, and have been faithful members since. Angie recalls her favorite memories include getting ready for Sunday School as a child and singing gospel music with her parents while they enjoyed a living room concert along with the guest singers on The Gospel Singing Jubilee. Larry had an ear for hearing all four parts and he enjoyed singing in the choir at church and with the Jolly Friends at nursing homes.
Larry worked at Miles Machine Shop a brief time before accepting a job in 1967 in the Machine Shop at Patchogue Plymouth, which eventually became Hazlehurst Mills. He was proud of the company he worked for, and his contributions to its success before retiring Feb. 1, 2001, after working there 34 years.
Larry was locally known as a gifted journeyman machinist and mathematician. If someone had something broken in the church or community no one could fix, they would bring it to Larry because they knew he could fix it. When young engineers came to Hazlehurst Mills to learn from engineers, they were often sent to Larry in the machine shop to observe him do the math in his head while he fabricated the parts.
In the late 1970s, he built a machine shop in his back yard to make extra money, but it was more of a gathering place for friends. God used Larry’s machine shop and gifted mind to witness to men about trusting Jesus to be their Savior while he taught them a craft or repaired something. He never turned down an opportunity to help someone in need, oftentimes taking little to no payment. He just loved helping people.
His passion for people and seeing how things worked was evidenced by his love for being at the Jeff Davis Airport. As his health declined, The “Airport Gang” always had a seat reserved for him and he loved hearing his buddies share the ‘happenings’ there. When friends would ask, “Larry, what are you doing?” he would respond with the same phrase, “Hey Chief. I’m just sittin’ here idlin.” He knew how to bring a smile and a chuckle to everyone.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings Kennon Butler, Allison Butler, Ronnie Butler, Evelyn Butler Byrd and Lavonia Butler Vincent.
Survivors include his devoted wife of almost 58 years who never left his bedside, Brenda F. Butler of Hazlehurst; daughter Angie B. O’Steen (Danny) of Ambrose; grandson Eli O’Steen (Jenna) of Ambrose; great-grandson Dawson; granddaughters Abbie O’Steen (Athens) and London O’Steen (Athens); sister Anna Ruth Butler Dorn of Springfield, Mich., and Jack Butler of North Augusta, S.C.; special friends and neighbors who offered care and support many years, Carrie Yawn and Robby Knox.
Homegoing services will be March 11 at 11 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church with the Rev. Bryan Herrington and the Rev. Ben Glosson officiating. Music will be offered by Hal Cox singing “Midnight Cry” and a congregational hymn of “Amazing Grace.”
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
Burial will be in Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Perry Brown, Landon Chavis, Ray Yawn, Quitman Wooten and “The AirPort Gang,” Cody White, John Scruggs, Hugh Brantley and Robby Knox.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of The Master’s Sunday School Class, former employees of Hazlehurst Mills, and friend and neighbor Doris Kirkman.
The Butler family expresses a heartfelt “Thank You” to his longtime Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Carelock, the administration and staff of Jeff Davis Hospital, Dr. Kirk Munsayac and Jeff Davis Hospital Wound Center staff, church family, neighbors and friends, his excellent neurosurgeon and friend The Lord used to save his life many times Dr. Billy Mix, and the tender Hands of Mercy from everyone at Coastal Hospice.
Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home is in charge.