Obituary – Shirley Houston Butler
Shirley Houston Butler
BLOUNTSTOWN, FL – Shirley Houston Butler was born on June 13, 1934 in Daphne, AL to Pauline Alphonse and Melya Houston, and left this world Feb. 7, 2024, at the age of 89 due to complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after a brief hospitalization. She was a resident of Blountstown and the widow of Calvin Butler.
Shirley had an illustrious and multi-faceted career as a nurse (LPN and RN), owner and operator of Le Pot de Fer, an upstate New York restaurant and lounge, as well as a taxicab owner. She broke barriers by becoming an Operator Engineer for a local union in New Jersey. At only 5’2 and 125 lbs., Shirley was the skilled operator of the Cat bulldozer and paver. One of few women trained as such in the United State, Shirley operated the heavy equipment in 1981 that prepared the runway at Stewart International Airport in Orange County, NY to receive the hostages held by Iran for 444 days prior to their release.
In addition to all her careers – not jobs – she found the time for her organic vegetable gardens before they were popular, but her favorite pastime was fishing.
She was also a devoted Roman Catholic and was well-known for her passion to her cats. Truly devoted to the teachings of St. Jude Thaddeus, Shirley prayed from her bible daily. To say that Shirley cared deeply for all of God’s creatures is an understatement and she loved spoiling the children of her extended family and preparing wonderful cuisine to entertain her family and close friends. During Easter, she would spend hours after a long shift at the hospital creating huge gourmet dark chocolate eggs garnished with fruits and nuts. She would ship them to her family and friends throughout the country.
She will be remembered for catching the attention of every room she entered. A stylish dresser with blonde, perfectly styled hair, and a mesmerizing storyteller with an outrageous laugh, she emanated an exuberance and true appreciation of life and its possibilities.
Shirley is survived by her beloved only child, Tanya Deitchman Wilson, and precious granddaughter, Jetta C. Deitchman; her younger sister. Carolyn Morgan, and brother-in-law, Richard Morgan along with multiple beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and loyal friends. She was preceded in death by five close sisters, Carmelita Robinson, Marie Chandler, Stella Long, Pauline Hall and Josephine Williams.
Shirley’s ashes will be taken to a family memorial site in Alabama for a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Adams Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made at adamsfh.com
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