Ethel Butler Obituary

Ethel Elizabeth
Vessey Butler, 81
Oct. 5, 1942 – March 29, 2024
SHELLTOWN - Elizabeth V. Butler went home to be with the Lord on Friday, March 29, 2024.
Born in Rehobeth, MD on October 5, 1942, she was the daughter of Guy Sidney and Ethel Elizabeth Massey Vessey. Her husband of 44 years, Dennett Lee Butler, preceded her in death on May 31, 2008.
Elizabeth had a life-long love of learning. She graduated from Marion High School in 1960. She then went on to attend Salisbury State College and graduated in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in education. Soon after, she married the love of her life, Denny. She began her teaching career in Wicomico County. However, the sudden death of Denny's father forced both she and Denny to stop teaching and move back to Shelltown to run the family farm. In the years to follow, Elizabeth helped Denny expand the family farming operation into a successful vegetable growing business. They grew many acres of vegetables – most notably tomatoes, cantaloupes, watermelons and peppers-- which were sold both locally and commercially up and down the east coast.
During this time, Elizabeth still had the desire to teach, so she accepted a science position at Woodson Middle School where she taught science for several more years. Elizabeth served the children of Somerset County for many years with love and dedication. Often, her former students spoke of her fondly saying she was their "favorite teacher". In addition to her bachelor's degree, Elizabeth earned a master's degree in Education and another master's degree in Environmental Science from Salisbury State College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Her final teaching experience was at Eastern Correctional Institute where she helped others earn their GED.
Elizabeth was a faithful member of the Nanticoke Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 37 years. She joined in 1985 and held the office of Chapter Historian from 2018 to 2020. She remained an active member up until her health declined. Elizabeth was also a member of the Pocomoke Elks Club and the Somerset County Farm Bureau.
Elizabeth was a wonderful cook, as her family and friends can confirm. She loved baking and made many amazing confections including the best sugar cookies, blackberry dumplings, and pie crust you have ever tasted. She also loved working in her flowerbeds, which were beautiful throughout spring, summer, and into the fall. She did not have just a green thumb, but rather a green arm. She could grow anything and often enjoyed working in their greenhouses overseeing the planting of their vegetable transplants each year. Elizabeth was also an amazingly talented artist. She loved to paint and if you have been in her home, you will have seen many of her paintings hanging on the walls.
Elizabeth is survived by three children, Alan Butler and his wife Patti of Shelltown, MD, Dr. Melinda Butler and her husband Dr. Timothy Sniezek of Preston, MD, and Michael Butler and his wife Tina of Marion, MD; five grandchildren, Dr. Adrianna Sniezek of Bel Air, MD, Gabrielle Sniezek of Preston, MD, Madelin Sniezek of Preston, MD, Megan Lewis and her husband Jeff of Cambridge, MD, and Shaunnessy Anderson of Wintersville, OH; two great-grandchildren, Ryker and Blake Lewis of Cambridge; nieces, Nancy Elizabeth Vessey of Westover, MD, Mary Kay Corbin and her husband Tim, of Westover, MD, AnnLee Vessey of Berlin, MD, Alana Lynn Tyler and husband Harvey of Westover, MD, Karen Lee Poisker of Oriole, MD, Allison Ann Rawland of Ardmore, TN, and nephews, William Sidney Vessey and his wife Cindy of Westover, MD, Steve Broadus Coons of Shelltown, MD; Leslie Guy Brimer of Salisbury, MD, and Donald G. Brimer and his wife Ellen of Lenexa, KS; as well as many great nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents; and her husband, Denny; Elizabeth was preceded in death by one brother, William Gordon Vessey; two sisters, Alice Rosalie Vessey, and Nellie June Vessey; and one sister-in-law, Nancy McClenahan Vessey.
The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the wonderful caregivers --Trisha, Kathy, Courtney, Susan, Torie, Carol, Janet, and Brionna -- who made it possible for Elizabeth to stay in the comfort of her home during her decline. We will be forever grateful for the love and care they showed her.
A celebration of her life which was officiated by Pastors Harvey and Alana Tyler and Pastor Michael Butler was held Saturday, April 6th at 1:00 pm, at Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield, MD. A visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment followed at St. Paul's Cemetery in Marion, MD.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Marion Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 142, Marion, MD or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD.
To send condolences, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com