Randall Earl Butts

Randall Earl Butts, age 73 of Vale, NC, lost his battle to a myriad of ailments at Catawba Valley Medical Center on Saturday, February 28, and now blessedly resides in the Lord’s mansion.

Randall was born on May 14, 1952, in Catawba County, to Marion Earl Butts and Sadie Leonna Hilton Butts. Both his parents and younger brother Charles Andrew Butts (and wife Linda Minton Butts) have preceded him in death, as well as several dear friends Jerry, Robert, John, Terry, and precious fur babies.

Those left to cherish his memory include: his devoted wife Libby Ann Speagle Butts and his steadfast sister Audrey Marguerite Butts, both of the home, his three adored sons Scott and wife Miriam, Shawn and wife Holly, Shay and wife Aimee, and his most cherished grandchildren Cooper, Carson, Cheznie and Payton, all of Vale, NC. Randall enjoyed the company of countless brothers and sisters in laws, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews.

As a child, Randall grew up in the Mountain View community, participated in Scouts and attended Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. He enjoyed FFA and masonry clubs at Fred T. Foard High School, from which he graduated. Randall married the love of his life, and raised his family in Vale, NC. He was employed by Leatherman Grading early in the workforce and helped construct Interstate 40. Next, he was a supervisor at Shurtape, and then self-employed with Lynn Mountain Grading and RB Towing, before epilepsy robbed him of being in the workforce. However, the years of labor, farming on the side, a strong work ethic, and generous spirit instilled a tenacity, conscientiousness, and true sense of altruism that has extended into two more generations of Butts’ thanks to his modelling.

Randall was highly intelligent and had a terrific memory. He enjoyed delving into new technology, wood working projects, and was an avid collector of pottery and knives, all of which he followed the historical development of and had a great appreciation for craftsmanship. He was extremely fond of vintage westerns, and knew many lines and episodes by heart. Randall played high school football, and was pleased to see that love of the game in his sons and grandsons, several of which wore his legacy #61. On the lighter side, he loved to hear and tell a good joke, and had a hearty, contagious laughter. Pappy spoiled his grandkids with love and adoration, and was overjoyed at the Butts’ name continuing, finally having some girls to dote on, and the accomplishments they each have achieved brought him tremendous pride and joy.

As a husband, Randall never wavered from his marriage vows, and instead fostered and honed a love for Libby that would be hard for many to emulate. He spent 54 years raising 3 adventurous boys, navigating debilitating health issues of his own and his wife’s in their prime, and alas slowed down to watch the grandchildren bloom and grow. The only other little gal to steal his heart, before grandchildren, was a precious niece, Carrie. To say there was complete devotion and pure love for Libby would be an understatement to those with the privilege to bask in the glow of it all.

Jenkins Funeral Home is facilitating the service, to be held at Palm Tree United Methodist Church, on Saturday, March 7. Visitation with the family is 11 AM to noon, immediately followed by a memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family would be most grateful for memorials made to Palm Tree United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 129, Vale, NC.