Frances Juliana Butler, 87, passed away Aug. 9, 2019 at her home, surrounded by loved ones.
Born in Krefeld, Germany Sept. 25, 1931 to Franz and Juliana Frieg, Frances lived an adventurous and wonderful life with her soul mate and best friend, Johnny Butler. She and Johnny met in 1953 while he was stationed in Germany, and he said when he met her, he knew she was the one. They married July 21, 1954 and soon after moved back to Alabama, Johnny’s home.
That move was the first of many, and their sense of adventure and brave spirits led them all over the country in search of a better life for them and their family. Johnny said Frances never complained about where they lived, and she always told her children that it didn’t matter where they lived, because Johnny was her home. Their final long-distance move was back to Alabama in 1970 where they immersed themselves in their community and in their church – Ebenezer Baptist Church.
Known to Johnny and family members as Franzi, to her daughters as Mama, and to her grandchildren as Grandma, she was funny and outspoken. She loved to laugh and she had a servant’s spirit. She was a wonderful cook and she was frequently the first person to show up with food when a member of the church passed away. She loved poetry and flowers and traveling with Johnny through the mountains of Colorado or the backroads of Cullman…but most of all she loved her family. She and Johnny were married for 65 years, and there is no telling how many miles they traveled together. Their story is a true love story.
Frances was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sister, Ursula (Ulla) Schenkel, and great grandson, Kolt Davis.
She is survived by Johnny Butler, daughters Vicky (Michael) Butler, Lorie (Joe) Black, grandchildren, Juliana (Luke) Davis, Joseph (Amber) Black, Francie (Aubrey) Gordon, Heidi (Joel) DiLorenzo, great-grandchildren, Jaxson and Harper Robertson, Franklynn Davis, and Knox Black. She is also survived by her brother Willi (Hilde) Frieg of Sulzfeld am Main, Germany. She leaves behind many other family members who embraced her as their own when she came to America, an extended family in Germany, and many friends.
Visitation will be Monday, Aug. 12, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at Cullman Heritage Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 13, 2019 at the funeral home with interment in the Ebenezer Cemetery.
