Larry Marlon Butler

Mr. Larry Marlon Butler, age 82, of Hazlehurst, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at his home under the gentle care of Coastal Hospice, surrounded by his small family.

Larry was born on July 31, 1943, during the tumultuous period of WWII in the home of his late parents which were sharecroppers, Fred and Lola Butler in Bacon County, Georgia. He was educated in Bacon, Appling, and Coffee County, eventually becoming old enough to secure a job cutting meat as a teenager for Aldine Smith at Smith’s Grocery in Douglas. After leaving Douglas to pursue a more fulfilling career, he moved to Hazlehurst in 1966. Larry met his wife, Brenda, at Ms. Lettie Taylor’s Boarding House on Latimer Street shortly after moving there. They married on May 5, 1968, and both were soon led to a saving faith in Christ Jesus by John Dykes and Ronald Wilcox in their home through the Visitation Ministry of Southside Baptist Church. They were baptized and joined the church on August 18, 1968 and have been faithful members ever since. Angie recalls her favorite memories include getting ready for Sunday School as a child and singing Gospel Music with her parents while they enjoyed a living room concert along with the guest singers on The Gospel Singing Jubilee on television. Larry had an ear for hearing all four parts and he once enjoyed singing in the choir at church and with the Jolly Friends at different nursing homes.

Larry worked at Miles Machine Shop for a brief time before accepting a job in 1967 in the Machine Shop at Patchogue Plymouth, which eventually became Hazlehurst Mills, a division of Amoco Fabrics and Fibers. He was so proud of the company he worked for, as well as his contributions to its success before retiring on February 1, 2001, after working there for 34 years.

With no collegiate education, Larry was locally known as a gifted Journeyman Machinist and walking mathematician. If someone had something broken in the church or community that no one else could fix, they would bring it to Larry because they knew he could fix it. In fact, when young engineers came down to Hazlehurst Mills to learn from experienced engineers, they were often sent over to Larry in the Machine Shop to observe him do the math in his head while he almost simultaneously fabricated the parts.

In the late 1970’s, he built a machine shop in his back yard to make extra money for his family, but it was more of a gathering place for friends to come and visit than it was anything else. God used Larry’s machine shop and gifted mind to witness to men about trusting Jesus to be their Lord and Savior while he either taught them a craft or repaired something that was broken. He never turned down an opportunity to help someone in need, oftentimes taking little to no payment for his work. Simply put, he just loved helping people.

His passion for people and seeing how things worked was an evidenced by his love for being at the Jeff Davis Airport. Even as his health continued to decline over the last several years, The “Airport Gang” always had a seat reserved just for him and he loved hearing his buddies share the ‘happenings’ out there. When his friends would call or stop by and ask, “Larry, what are you doing?,” he would always respond with the same unique phrase, “Hey Chief. I’m just sittin’ here idlin.” He always knew how to bring a smile and a chuckle to everyone he met.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Kennon Butler; Allison Butler; Ronnie Butler; Evelyn Butler Byrd; and Lavonia Butler Vincent.

Larry is survived by his devoted wife of almost 58 years and never left his bedside, Brenda F. Butler of Hazlehurst; his daughter, Angie B. O’Steen (Danny) of Ambrose; grandson, Eli O’Steen (Jenna) of Ambrose, great grandson, Dawson; granddaughters Abbie O’Steen (Athens); and London O’Steen of (Athens); his sister, Anna Ruth Butler Dorn of Springfield, MI, and Jack Butler of North Augusta, S.C.. He is also survived by special friends and neighbors that faithfully offered care and support for many years, Carrie Yawn and Robby Knox.

Homegoing services will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Southside Baptist Church with Rev. Bryan Herrington and Rev. Ben Glosson officiating. Music will be offered by Hal Cox singing “Midnight Cry” and a congregational hymn of “Amazing Grace” will conclude the service.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Burial will follow in the Hazlehurst Memorial Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Perry Brown, Landon Chavis, Ray Yawn, Quitman Wooten, and “The AirPort Gang”, Cody White, John Scruggs, Hugh Brantley, and Robby Knox.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of The Master’s Sunday School Class, former employees of Hazlehurst Mills, and friend and neighbor, Doris Kirkman.

The Butler family would like to express a heartfelt “Thank You” to his longtime Nurse Practitioner, Jennifer Carelock, the Administration and Staff of Jeff Davis Hospital, Dr. Kirk Munsayac and Jeff Davis Hospital Wound Center staff, their church family, neighbors and friends, his excellent neurosurgeon and friend that The Lord used to save his life many times over the years, Dr. Billy Mix, and the tender Hands of Mercy from everyone at Coastal Hospice.

Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home and the Butler family are in charge of arrangements.

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