Elaine Butler, ‘professional encourager,’ dies at 70

Elaine Butler, a retired educator who some affectionately called the “matriarch of Murray County,” died Monday. She was 70.

“Her vibrant and passionate spirit has enriched our lives beyond measure,” said Holly Rice, director of the Family Support Council where Butler was parent education director since 1997. “Even on the most difficult days, Elaine could find joy in her circumstances and the people around her. I have heard many people refer to her encouraging nature, and I know that each person who knew her will miss her constant encouragement to reach high. She has been a force and a change agent in this community.”

Butler is known for her work on several social projects including in adult education and the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program for Whitfield and Murray Counties. The program through the Family Support Council has about 90 grandparents and meets monthly so they can enjoy each other’s company and learn about topics such as legal rights for themselves and the children, abuse and other parenting issues.

Dalton resident Addie Blalock has participated in the group for three years as she raises a now-17-year-old grandchild. She said the support and Butler’s touch have always been encouraging. Blalock said Butler made her feel comfortable at once and was easy to talk to.

“We learn about so many different things and she always made things sound so good and interesting,” Blalock said.

Butler also began Community Christmas, the annual program that brings together individuals, agencies and businesses to ensure children who might not otherwise get presents at Christmas have something under the tree. She was instrumental in beginning adult education programs in Murray and Gilmer counties, and before that she was an English teacher in various school systems including Murray County Schools, Bartow County Schools, the Cobb County schools and a school system in Jacksonville, Fla.

Butler received numerous awards in recognition of her work including the Georgia Adult Educator award in 1989. In 2002, the Murray County Chamber of Commerce named her Businesswoman of the Year. Six years later, she received the Vision in Action award for her work in teen pregnancy prevention. In 2001 and 2010, she was recognized by the state Department of Human Services for her work promoting safe and stable families.

The United Way of Northwest Georgia established the Elaine Butler Volunteer of the Year Award in honor of the North Carolina native.

Mary Smith, a child abuse prevention specialist at the Family Support Council, said she worked with Butler for several years but more recently became closer to her, often talking to her on the phone or visiting her outside of work hours.

“Elaine was just one of those rare people that no matter how many people you feel like you’ve been able to impact in your life, it seemed like she reached people at a different level than most of us,” Smith said. “Her manner and her way of touching people was so heartfelt and so genuine that no matter who you were, you felt like she really, truly cared about what happened to you in your life.”

Even while she was in the hospital recently — she had a long battle with cancer, according to those who knew her — she was talking about ways to help young people and others in the community, Smith said.

“I really especially looked forward to going to work on days I knew she would be there,” Smith said. “I’m going to miss that, and I’m going to miss my daily phone calls and just to be in contact with a professional encourager.”

Retired educator Tom Bartley, also with the Family Support Council, worked with Butler on the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren group as well as summer camps for children, parents and grandparents.

So why was Butler so passionate about her work?

“I don’t know,” Bartley said. “She just was. I don’t know that there was anything in her background that would indicate but ... she just had a real feeling for people who were less fortunate who needed a lot of support.”

Butler was also a very spiritual, very religious person and attended Sumach Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Murray County for many years, he said.

Visitation is Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Shawn Chapman Funeral Home. Services are Thursday at 3 p.m. at Holly Creek Baptist Church.

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Elaine Butler, ‘professional encourager,’ dies at 70

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