Eleanor Louise Butler was born March 9, 1918 to the late Frank and Jane Frances Swales in Leonardtown, Maryland.

Eleanor grew up and attended elementary school in Leonardtown, Maryland. She attended Francis Junior High and Armstrong High School in Washington, DC. She continued her education at Bowie Normal School, now Bowie State University and was employed as a paraprofessional and substitute teacher with St. Mary's County Public Schools for well over 30 years.

Eleanor was active in her community and was a member of the St. Aloysius Social Club, the Red Cross and the Ladies Auxiliary. The Catholic faith was paramount in Eleanor's life so it was only natural that she extended her teaching abilities as an instructor of the Catechism of the Christian Doctrine (C.C.D.).

It was at Bowie Normal School where she met her future husband, Ralph I. Butler, Sr. Eleanor and Ralph were married June 23, 1940. On August 21, 2003, Ralph or "Daddy" as she called him, her loving husband of 63 years, was called to glory.

After Ralph's death in 2003, their youngest daughter, Wanda, decided without a thought to pay it forward and leave her full-time job to provide round the clock care to her mother, Eleanor. In October 2006, Eleanor relocated to Lake Mary, Florida where she was nurtured and cared for by her son, Charles, and his lovely wife, Veronica. Ronnie, as did many others, loved Granny so much and that love was reciprocated. Ronnie and Charlie wholeheartedly and steadfastly provided Granny with all the love and care she so deserved after providing love and care to countless others in her 90 years.

Granny was a faithful servant and throughout her life, as part of her daily routine, prayed the rosary. When she could no longer attend Sunday Mass she would never miss the Sunday Mass on television for the incapacitated. Love of God and love of family were monumental to Granny. She was a strong presence in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her spare time, she and Ralph would spend countless hours completing crossword puzzles and playing Spades or Solitaire. Granny also enjoyed a competitive game of Scrabble from time to time. While residing in Florida, she grew fond of dominoes and spending time with her faithful canine companion, Spike.

Eleanor is survived by five children; Wanda T. Butler, Eleanor A. Davis and Ralph I. Butler, Jr. (Shirley) of Leonardtown, Maryland; Jane F. Butler of Laurel, Maryland; and Charles A. Butler (Veronica) of Lake Mary, Florida; two sisters, Harriet A. Forrest (James) and Theresa S. Young of Leonardtown, Maryland; two sisters-in-law, 21 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and associates. Eleanor is predeceased by her loving husband, Ralph I. Butler, Sr.; son, Joseph C. Swales; grandson, Joseph C. Butler and 16 brothers and sisters.

Granny if there was one thing among the many things you taught us was to have faith in God in the worst of times and the best of times. You are at peace with the Lord our God and side by side with your beloved, Ralph. You are now in the grace and care of the greatest of hands.

The family will receive friends for Mrs. Bulter's Life Celebration on Thursday, November 6, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD, where prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Chirstian burial will be celebrated Friday, November 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown, MD. Interment will follow in Queen of Peace Cemetery, Mechanicsville, MD.

Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD