Cleveland Lewis Butler

Cleveland Lewis Butler, Sr.Cleveland Lewis Butler Sr., affectionately known as CL, was born on January 8, 1948 to William Butler Sr. (deceased) and Annie Butler Pratt in Greenwood, South Carolina. He was the youngest son of this union with elder brother Jr. (deceased). CL attended school in Greenwood with his maternal grandparents (Frank and Janie Bolden, both deceased) and spent his summers in Baltimore, Maryland with his mother from childhood through college. An unstoppable burst of energy, CL excelled as a vocalist, as the band’s drum major, and at athletics. His rhythmic dance moves would make Alvin Ailey take a second look. A graduate of Brewer High School, CL continued his education at South Carolina State College, majoring in business and pledging Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. Overwhelmed by the turbulent 1960’s and civil violence on campus, CL left State College and returned to Baltimore permanently. He worked for several companies before finding solace at McDonald’s Corporation. CL excelled at restaurant operations and became the first African American General Manager in the Baltimore region with top sales. After years in the restaurant business, CL transitioned his management skills to other corporations. His last position and possibly most challenging was office manager for his younger sister’s insurance agency at State Farm. His illness caused his early retirement from the agency during December, 2004. CL slipped peacefully away to the Lord on October 3, 2007. He leaves a loving and caring family behind including his partner, Julia Bennett, mother, Annie Pratt, daughter, Latrece Hart of SC, son, Cleveland Lewis Butler Jr. of MD, sister and brother in law, Karen Pratt Tull and Antoine Tull of MD, aunt, Elise Bolden of SC, cousins, Barbara Roberson of MD, Jonell Anderson, Joe Bolden, Vivian Kinnard, Carolyn Tolbert all of SC, former spouse, Jeanette Butler of MD, cousins, Evon Jackson, Barbara Bolden, Anthony Haskins, Sharon Brown, Patricia Haskins, Kim Haskins Myers and Joseph Haskins Jr. all of MD, life long friends, Tyrone Smith of SC and James Fortune of MA. Sadly, CL also leaves several uncles, aunts, cousins and friends from South Carolina, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Baltimore. Big brother we miss your smile, enduring laugh and thirst for life. I pray that your spirit flies free and you are singing and dancing with the angels.Respectfully submitted by Karen Pratt Tull

Tributes

Cleveland Lewis Butler

January 8, 1948 - October 3, 2007