Francis Butler

Mr. Francis Butler, 67, died Monday, May 7, 2012, in Jackson, MS. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May 10th, at Butler Pentecostal Church in Noxubee County, with Rev. Gerald Butler, Rev. Larry Haggard, and Rev. Gina Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Porter Funeral Home in Louisville, MS, and on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Butler Cemetery. Mr. Butler was born June 29, 1944 in Noxubee County. He was a business owner in Jackson for over 40 years. Under a tough exterior, Francis was a funny, sweet, generous, kind man who loved fishing with his grandchildren and cooking for his family. With his extraordinary mechanical skills, he could fix anything from a broken toy to a wrecked NASCAR. He was the VP of Magnolia College of Cosmetology and owner of Southland Auto Service. He was a former Hinds County Deputy Sheriff. He was preceded in death by his son, Marty Jon Butler; a sister, Betty Ann Carter, and a brother, Malcolm McBrayer. He is survived by his wife, Marie Butler of Jackson; sons, Marcus Trent (Michele) Butler of Pearl, MS, and Michael Kurt Butler of Katy, TX; step-daughters, Deedra (Kirk) Bookout of Rosedale, MS, Gina (Marty) Smith of Louisville, Kristy Wells of Pearl, and Jennifer (Butch) Burns of Louisville; sisters, Myrtis White and Kathy Coleman, both of Shuqualak, MS; and Sharon Permenter of Meridian; and 8 grandchildren, Michael & Mitchell Butler, Trent & Bryce Bookout, Tyler & Carmen Smith, and Wells & Maggie Burns. Pallbearers will be Eddie Lee, Mark Foster, Tony Murphy, Jr, Tim Smith, Wayne Richards, Brian Gordon, Jimmy Johnson, and Cooper Warren. Honorary pallbearers are James Gore, Hubert Presley, Junior Jones, Mike Martin, Bud Clark, Nowell Flake, Bobby White, and Tommy Coleman. Memorials may be made to Son Valley, 461 Goodloe Road, Canton, MS, 39046