Alfred Milton Butts

A story worth penning. . .

On November 20, 1957, in Jarratt, VA, Alfred Milton Butts was born, the eighth child of ten to the late William and Estelle Butts Jr. At an early age he confessed Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized at the Little Shiloh Baptist Church, Emporia, VA. He remained a member there with his parents until he moved his membership to a church in Georgia, and ultimately joined Mountaintop Faith Ministries, Las Vegas, NV until his death.

Alfred was educated in the public schools of Virginia and graduated from Greensville County High School in 1976. Alfred was a “take responsibility and be accountable” individual. He held various jobs while attending grade school, junior high, high school, and college. He liked financial stability in the early stages of his life. When Daddy passed in 1980, Alfred took it upon himself to be the head of the household making sure Momma’s financial responsibilities were met and on time. In 1982, he joined the Air Force and retired from there after 23 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant. While in the military, Alfred obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He loved and valued education, which was evident in the many training sessions and professional development courses he attended, graduated from, and received certification.

Alfred was a connoisseur of cars and fashion. He got his first car when he was 15 and kept that car “clean.” He washed that “blue” Mustang so much that Momma said she was going to “bury” him in it. He kept his possessions and wardrobe immaculate. Remember Flagg Brothers? Alfred was their best customer!

In his military career, Alfred lived across the United States and other countries. It was in Germany where he met his wife Shirley Caldwell Butts. Alfred and Shirley married in 2008 in Las Vegas NV and they shared over 14 years together.

After retiring from the military, Alfred started his new life by painting his entire house, the carport floor, and everything else, and then decided to go back to full-time employment after only two months of retirement. His career continued at universities as a teacher/trainer, manager of call centers, and in supervisory roles at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He was always gainfully employed in top positions.

His military experience, EHR training experience, leadership experience, DoD experience with their healthcare IT, security clearance status, work ethic, active listening skills, and insight in the field of healthcare IT all made him the ideal candidate for the last position that he would hold—a VA EHRM Trainer at ProSource. The hiring manager, Mr. Tim Jackson, shared that after 10 minutes into the interview, he knew Alfred was the right one for the $16.2 billion dollar healthcare project. The interview was scheduled for 30 minutes, but he and Alfred talked for almost two hours. Members of the team would also share how easy it was to communicate and work with Alfred.

Alfred was that type of person. He would engage and make you feel you mattered. Plenty of times, he would meet someone, speak, and talk to them, and you would later ask him “Who was that?” His response: “Ion know. I just said hi and we struck up a conversation.”

After receiving shocking medical news from his physicians, Alfred finally retired from his position and decided to take charge of his health and rest. It was a hot day in August when his sisters received a   call, “Come to Vegas! I need you. I need my family.” So, for about three to four months, the sisters took turns flying from Maryland and South Dakota to Las Vegas to help his wife with his care.

On the evening of November 4th, as he was being fed, Alfred turned with tears in his eyes and said, “Take me home. I want to go home.” After discussing it with his wife, plane reservations were made, and the transport began. On November 11th— Veterans Day 2022, with the assistance of his brother (from another mother), Tony Scruggs, and his newfound brother Andrew Tillar, Alfred boarded a plane with his sister and Andrew and flew back home. As he landed, moved to baggage claim, and then got settled in the truck, he looked up and said, “I am home.”

He quickly adjusted to his new life in Maryland and to forever being spoiled by his siblings and his ever-doting nieces and nephews. Alfred has been described as a friend, brother in Christ, team leader, innovator, and advisor. But to us, he was just that little country boy Daddy called Boogie Boy who attempted to love and help people because of the great love that God had bestowed upon him. Alfred did great things in life, but his greatest was accepting Jesus Christ as his Savior and working out his own salvation daily.

The loss of someone like Alfred will be felt by many, but as his friend and supervisor wrote “We are happy for Alfred who is now with the Lord enjoying that peace and happiness that only God can bring”. What makes Alfred’s passing more bearable is that he transitioned on his mother’s birthday, April 5th. She was his best girl and perhaps she saw her Boogie Boy’s pain and asked God to bring her baby home.

Alfred was preceded in death by his oldest brother, Ervin (Bug) Butts and sisters Constance Jones and Hydenia Turner. He leaves to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy: his wife, Shirley Cardwell Butts, two stepsons: Quentin and Derrick Caldwell; a special young lady by the name of Chloe Hawkins; six siblings: Marion and Irene Butts (Chillum, MD); Russell Butts (Stratford, NJ); Gloria Williams (Rapid City, SD); Michael Butts (Belgium) and Anita Butts (Capitol Heights, MD); two brother-in laws: James C. Williams and Robert Taylor; five sisters-in-law: Lucienne and Beth Butts, Brenda Curry, Irene and Juanita Taylor; three aunts and one uncle and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He fought the good fight, he endured until the end and now he rests with his crown of glory: Rest on Sugar, rest on Mr. Al, rest on my brother, rest on classmate, rest on Uncle Alfred, rest on my nephew, rest on my cousin, rest on my friend—rest on.

Relatives and Friends are encouraged to visit  Mr. Butts' tribute wall to share memories, extend condolences and to order floral tributes, as sentiments to the family. 

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