Mattie Mae Butler

The life and legacy of Mattie Mae Butler began on November 30, 1957 in Nassau, Bahamas when she graced the world with her presence. Mattie was the second born of six children to Prince Ellis Ethel Francois. She was always driven and focused even as a child and was respected by her siblings who saw her as a person of wisdom, compassion, and a giving heart. As described by her siblings, Mattie was comfortable taking the lead in organizing events. She was the Wind Beneath our Wings. Mattie's Education and Family Mattie was educated in Nassau Bahamas, graduating from Government High School in 1974. During her high school years, she was active in Girl's scout and sang in the school choir. Singing was Mattie's passion. She knew early on that she wanted to become a nurse and follow in the footsteps of her mother. Immediately upon graduation at the age of 17, Mattie took up residence at the Princess Margaret Hospital dormitory for nurses where she enrolled as the youngest student into the nursing program. She excelled in her studies and accomplished her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse in 1978 at the young age of 21. She then moved to the U.S. settling in Detroit, Michigan. Mattie met her first husband Thomas Butler shortly after. They dated for a number of years and subsequently married. To this union a beautiful child was born: Jaszmine Nicole. Mattie later met and married Fred White, and to this union Sherel Janae was born. Those who knew Mattie knew that she was extremely devoted to her family and very proud of her daughters. Mattie loved her girls! Study to show Thyself Approved Mattie was an active and faithful member of The Church of the Living God, Jewell Dominion all of her life. In the early 80's Mattie served as caregiver to the late Bishop L.L. Harrison. She later became an ordained minister with a passion for reading and preaching the word of God. She also had a great passion for singing. She sang like a bird and her voice was recognized by many people. Early in her life, she and her siblings sang in a group known as the Ellis Sisters performing gospel songs in churches and wherever the opportunity arose. At an early age and throughout her life, Mattie believed in the salvation of God and was a caring and compassionate person who would give her very last. Her motto was My Giving is my Living and she truly exemplified those words. She was an elegant, loving, and classy lady! A Labor of Love Mattie and her family later moved to Los Angeles, California. Over the next thirty years, she worked in major health facilities such as Kaiser Permanente, St. Luke's, and Pacifica of the Valley Hospital where she was loved and respected by her employees and managers alike. She served in several capacities such as Med Surge Director and Director of Nursing where she had the responsibility of overseeing the nursing operations of the hospital. Her retirement just a few years ago did not slow her down one bit. Mattie continued to enjoy traveling and loved the adventures of life. She was blessed to travel to places like Ghana, Alaska, Jerusalem, Turkey, and across the United States. Mattie was a woman on the go, yet never too busy to meet the needs of her family and others. A Quiet Strength Mattie had a quiet strength that was tested in 2008 with the first diagnosis of breast cancer. She fought the fight of her life, through surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and doctors' visits. She never complained or said a mumbling word. She believed that the God she served is a Healer was faithful to His word. Her faith would be tested again with the final diagnosis of cancer in 2013. Yet she didn't let this dampen her spirit and prepared for battle. But God said No my child. This time I shall provide the ultimate healing from your earthly body to your heavenly one. We can hear Mattie now singing like a songbird ... Precious Lord take my hand. It is well ... It is well. Precious Memories Leaving to cherish her everlasting memory are her children: Jaszmine (Edward) Davis and Sherel White; Spouse: Fred White; Mother: Ethel Ellis; Siblings: Trudy Ellis, Debra (Haven) Ellis-Rolle, Dale Ellis, Rosalie (Harry) Payne, Prince Ellis; Adopted sister: Francita Ferguson; Step mother: Eula Ellis; Step siblings: Elvis (Sylvia) Ellis, Elease (Jerome) Coney, Ena Brice, Yvette Ellis; Nieces: Lynette (Derrick) Jackson, Sasha (Chad) Holmes, Misha Payne, Daphne Rawashdeh, Raquel Christie, Africa Ellis; Nephews: Dominique Ellis, Sean Payne, Darius and Derek Jackson, Tafari Ellis, Jabez and Roman Coney; Special God-daughters Tahira Butler, Te'Asia Smith, Marissa Jackson; and a host of relatives and friends.