DEACONESS ELIZABETH JANE (DOUGHTY) BUTLER (AGE 86) OF ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.


Elizabeth Jane Doughty Butler was born on March 13, 1926 in Shields, Virginia to the late Charlie Fred Doughty, Sr. and the late Hattie Virginia Doughty. She was the sixth of nine children.
At the age of 12, she was baptized at Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Painter, Virginia. In 1949, she relocated to Richmond, Virginia and became employed as a waitress to help pay for her college education at St. Paul's College, where she majored in Education. After completing her education she relocated to the District of Columbia.

In 1953, Elizabeth became employed with Daniel Johnson & Associates as an Administrative Assistant. She was employed with Daniel Johnson & Associates for 13 years. In the early 1970's she accepted a position with the Fairfax County Public School Systems where she remained employed until her retirement in 1983.

Elizabeth was married to the late Rev. John H. Butler on May 11, 1955. From their union they were blessed with one daughter, Jacqueline.

Elizabeth joined Ebenezer Baptist Church by way of Christian experience in 1980 under the leadership of the late Rev. A.A. Booker and later joined the Deaconess Ministry in 1981.
For 19 years after her retirement, Elizabeth devoted her time as primary caregiver for her husband until his death in 2002. After her husband's death, Elizabeth continued to serve as a devoted church member and the matriarch for her family. In 2010 Elizabeth decided to move in with her daughter and son-in-law where they served as her primary caregivers until her death on January 18, 2013.

Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memory daughter Jacqueline Brown Horne (Columbus); four grandchildren Sintrel P. Parker (Terry), Allen R. Nichols II, Alonzo J. Nichols, Demetria E. Thomas (Alfred); nine great-grandchildren Ronado (deceased), Vincent, As-Shaiyd, Alonzo II, Amari, Antonio, Gabrielle, London, LeMichael and one great great-granddaughter Arianna; one sister Nellie Mae Greene (Theodore); one brother Charlie Fred Doughty, Jr.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Elizabeth was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great grandmother who never hesitated to help others in anyway. Her witty sense of humor and unparalleled fashion sense, primarily her unique collection of hats will be truly missed.

Viewing 10am until time of service 11am Friday, January 25, 2013 at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 909 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Interment, 12pm, Monday, January 28, 2013, Quantico National Cemetery, Triangle, VA. Arrangements Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., Indian Head, MD.