Butts, Diane
BUTTS, Diane W.
Diane W. Butts went to be with the Lord on the morning of September 9, 2021. She passed peacefully at home from unexpected heart complications. She is survived by her husband Hal Butts, Jr., her four children Samuel Ivey, Nathanael Ivey, Kevin Butts, and Ashley Butts-Remik and their spouses, as well as their eight beloved grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Her "grand-chickens' were the light of her life and her greatest joy. Diane was a native Atlantan and a classic example of what it is to be a truly graceful Southern woman.
Born on May 28, 1947 to Bernice and Charles Willis, she grew up in the East Lake neighborhood of Atlanta and attended Murphy High School. Her musical talents, which developed at an early age, led her to a career in Southern gospel and Christian ministry. Her first musical ministry came in the form of a trio called the Gospel Tone Singers. They toured and gained recognition all over the Southeast that advanced her ministry and God's grace in her life and all the lives she touched. She then met George Ivey III, and they were married in 1965. They began recording and releasing albums, establishing churches, and making connections that seemed only providence could provide. George was asked to build and manage the first Christian television station, Atlanta WHAE-TV 46, the first of many that he would go on to establish. Together, they produced and hosted a syndicated gospel music program on the 700 Club in Atlanta on the new station. She was a prolific vocalist, pianist, and songwriter, writing and publishing many works throughout her life. It was also during this time period their sons Samuel and Nathanael were born.
Later she would marry Hal Butts, Jr. in 1984 and began the adventure of having a blended family with Hal's children, Ashley, and Kevin, in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. She became a great support and mother to her newly expanded family with Hal. She began her career in real estate in the 1980s and later began working for Focal Point, a leader in the architectural design industry. During her time with Focal Point, she earned a bachelors degree from Oglethorpe University while raising children and working full-time, with Hal and the family's support. In doing so, she was an inspiration to her children and others of what hard work and tenacity can accomplish. After many years at Focal Point, she returned to real estate and broke sales records in the Atlanta market for many years.
Many great memories were made as each of the four children grew up over the years and moved on to having families and children of their own, thus beginning Diane's reign as "Mimi" to all of her 11 beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One of those memories was the annual Christmas party that Hal and Diane hosted, complete with a whole party singalong led by Diane at her baby grand piano. The party showed the genuine richness of Hal and Diane's loving, supportive, and amazing circle of friends. Another great family memory was the epic family bike rides all over Atlanta and the surrounding areas. The children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren would all agree that "Mimi" made Christmastime the most beautifully magical and loving time of the year that they always looked forward to. She always took family holidays seriously and did it in the most elegant way. She will always be remembered by so many as a loving force of unstoppable grace and beauty, evident in the many lives she touched and all of the love in her life.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 23 at 2:00 PM at Carmichael Funeral Home at 1130 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta, GA 30064. The services will also be streamed for friends and family on the funeral homes website at www.carmichaelfuneralhomes.com and the Carmichael Funeral home Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully received by Good Shepherd India/Dayspring International.
View the obituary on Legacy.com
Funeral Home Information
Carmichael Funeral Home
1130 Whitlock Avenue
Marietta, GA
30064
