Butler, Noetta Melvene (Keller) age 90, of Marbury, Maryland.

Noetta Melvene (Keller) Butler was born in San Antonio, Texas on July 8, 1924 as the third of four children of Isabella and Noah Keller. She received her elementary and secondary education in San Antonio and was recruited to Washington, DC after high school under a government hiring program. A retired Maryland State Certified Nurse Psychotherapist, Melvene completed her undergraduate work at Georgetown University and Master's degree at Catholic University.

Melvene met the love of her life, Joseph LeCount Butler and shared almost 53 years of marriage until his passing on March 20, 2000. To their union were born J. LeCount Jr, David and Joel; and one precious daughter who lived for 18 months.

Known for her keen wit and sharp mind, Melvene was quick with a retort and often used humor to keep the situations of life in the proper perspective. She had a classic sense of style and easy elegance and was known to love quality. Her husband often commented that whenever they would go into a store she would always be drawn to the most expensive item! Melvene was a practical woman who was also able to quickly adapt and adjust her life as required by changing dynamics.

She was a devoted wife and mother but when she found herself cooking and "fixing" for boys whose interests, activities and peer interaction frequently kept them away from dinner she went back to school and to work. While working under a supervisor who resented her commitment to keep Sabbath hours free from work and told her that she could not get a desired promotion because of some certification, Melvene immediately enrolled in Catholic University and she got the promotion.

Melvene believed in young people and was most supportive of those who were away at school. She is still remembered for her care packages and habit of hiding a few dollars in odd places. Once she wrapped a $20.00 around a bar of soap in a box of goodies which did not get discovered until some time later. When the adopted granddaughter eventually discovered the funds she called to say thanks but got an alarmed Melvene who thought she might not be taking the time to bathe!

A third generation Seventh-day Adventist, and a devoted member of The Pisgah Seventh-day Church in Bryans Road, Maryland, Melvene loved Jesus and took His mandate to love others seriously. She also stood up for her faith. Both of her alma maters' assigned reading materials conflicted with Melvene's belief system. Not one afraid to express her opinion, Melvene requested and was granted alternative reading material when needed. She did indeed dare to be a Daniel(ielle). She and her husband LeCount ministered in churches in the Central States, South Central and Allegheny East Conferences and were a widely recognized counseling and consulting team. Together they conducted seminars on Interpersonal Relationships throughout the country.

Melvene's living legacies are her three sons, J. LeCount (Ernestine), Joel (Theria) and side-kick and caregiver, David; four grandchildren, Candace, Cherish, Tracey and Jordan; five great grandchildren; numerous other relatives and friends across the country; and a loving church family.

Her Viewing will be from 9 a.m. until time of Service, 10 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2015 at Dupont Park Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3985 Massachusetts Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20019. Interment, Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.

Arrangements provided by Thornton Funeral Home.