February 1, 2011

Tommie Lee Butler Sr., 75, of 2214 Georgia Ave., Suffolk, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2011 at Sentara Obici Hospital. He was a native of Nansemond County and the son of the late John Dempsey Butler and Annie Dowdy Butler. He was also predeceased by one daughter, Jennifer D. Butler; one son, Kenneth D. Butler; brother, Clyde Melvin Butler; father and mother-in-law, Beacher D. Strothers and Annie W. Strothers.

He attended East Suffolk High School. He retired as a rigger from Norshipco.

He is survived by his wife, Emilie S. Butler; four daughters, Jeanette, of NewYork, Cynthia B. Hardin (Lloyd), Anita B. Savage, and Tonya M. Shepherd (Kevin), all of Suffolk; three sons, Ronald N. Butler (Nicole), of Suffolk, Timothy T. Butler (Darlene) and Tommie Lee Butler Jr. (Anessa), both of Chesapeake; 18 grandchildren and a host of great-grandchildren; one brother, Huley Butler (Pauline), of Suffolk; long life partners, Lucile McCray and LaQuita Johnson; nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 in the chapel of Crocker Funeral Home officiated by the Rev. Dwayne Strothers. Interment will be in Carver Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 108 Raleigh Ave., Suffolk. Crocker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.