Gloria Jean Butler

Precious Memories

Gloria Jean Butler

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the

body and to be present with the Lord.  2 Corinthians 5:8

Gloria the FOUNDATION of generations after generations. Gloria is a feminine name meaning "GLORY". She was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi on April 07, 1944. She and her siblings were raised by her mother, Bessie Hall. They remember Gloria, or “Jean” as we called her, was a small person but with a big heart. To them, she was a giant of an older sister.  She was kind, understanding, gentle but oh so WISE.  She was wise because of the events that shaped her life.  Some were good, some were bad, but she didn’t allow any of them to hinder her calling in life.   She was a great cook, and they all knew that food brings people together in fellowship.  She was a good listener.  She always gave words of encouragement, to make you look within yourself and see that you are an important person to GOD and not to give up or give in to any adversity you would be faced with in life.

She worshipped the Lord at Hopewell Baptist Church and "Drugged" every one of her children with her. Later in life, Gloria moved her family to Denver, Colorado, where she became a member of Zion Baptist Church which she attended and served over 50 years. The proud mother of 5 biological children, combined with 2 children by marriage with Duane Butler made the families complete. Duane recalled meeting Gloria in church.  After church Gloria would say, “Have a good week”.  Shortly after that, they would start sitting together “In Their Section”.  After being divorced for a long while, Duane felt he didn’t think he would make another connection, until God opened his heart and he realized, “A match that was meant to be”.

Gloria was a true child of GOD.  She absolutely loves the Lord. She took care of her family with her whole heart. One by one and sometimes two by two, generation after generation followed Gloria to Denver, CO.  She took the time to ensure every person had what they needed when they arrived.  Every Sunday, she cooked and fed the entire family. In other words, she fed all her children from the time they were born until the time she went home to be with the Lord. She did not stop at her immediate family but also her extended family and anyone else who wanted to eat.

When it came to her Grandkids and Great Grandkids you would never know the difference. That's when the "REAL LOVE" came out.  She loved them babies. Thanksgiving and Christmas at GRANMA's where amazing.  They didn't just GET but were taught all along the way their manners, how to clean, respect and that life goes on.  Yes, they got that look if they pretended that they did not know better. Mostly she just wanted to kiss all over them.

Gloria held numerous careers from Custodian, School bus driver and retiring at the U.S. Denver Mint. Her most important career was "LOVE". Love is something she taught and gave.

Gloria Jean Butler departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on September 23, 2023, in Denver, Colorado.  Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss include her loving and devoted husband, Duane L. Butler, Sr.; 2 sons, Wendell C. Perkins, and Duane L. Butler, Jr.; 5 daughters, Gail G. (Douglas) Williams, Marie Reed, Willette M. (Phil) Bryant-Freeman, Bessie A. Jones, and Ebonee R. Butler; 3 brothers, Jessie (Nadine) Perkins Jr, Jessie Johnson and Willie Ford; 3 sisters, Jeralean Ford- Brown, Deborah Ford, and Shelia (Sylvester) Hammond; 9 grandchildren, Adrian Freeman, Anthony Reynolds Jr., Willie A. Bryant, Gregory R. Jones, Wendell Perkins Jr., Denzel Perkins, Romelia Fox, Douglas Williams Jr., and Sahia M. Bryant; 16 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.