Funeral services were held on Friday, 10/14/2022, at Mr. Erie Baptist Church, with a burial following at Mt. Hope Cemetery Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson Ragsdale Mortuary.
My name is Brenda Joyce Chappell Butler. I was born in San Diego, California, on September 18, 1951. My parents are Henry Floyd Chappell and Gloria Williams Chappell. I was the firstborn in this union.
My family moved to Gardena, California, where I graduated from Gardena High in 1969. I married the love of my life, Wayne Butler, on March 13, 1971. I gave birth to our son, Sheldon Howard Butler, and thought he was the most beautiful baby ever. I loved him with all I had in me.
I attended Compton Jr. College and graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I vowed to become a nurse as my dream was to help others. Still bound to go higher and further in my career, I continued to attend school, determined to learn as much as possible.
As a nurse, I worked for the County of Los Angeles and La Habra School District. I retired from Orange County as a public health nurse. I later retired from nursing and took up real estate.
On Sunday, September 25, 2022, with my husband by my side, I closed my eyes on this side and woke up in heaven.
I am preceded in death by my sister Francere Chappell Snell; my brother Duane, better known as Ricky Chappell; my grandparents, Melvin and Verna Russell; and my parents, Clarence and Bernadine Butler.
I will be deeply missed by my husband, Wayne C. Butler; my son, Sheldon Howard; my mother, Gloria Viola Williams; my sister Janice Michelle Epps (Gary); my brothers, Michael Aaron Espy (Rhonda) and Otis Lee Espy (LaGeshia). Three aunts; an uncle; my family-in-love, the Butler’s; and lots of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
