BRENDA JOYCE BUTLER

Look at me I am testimony! I didn’t make it on my own, and I am not standing here alone! I will let NOTHING separate me from the love of God.

My name is Brenda Joyce Chappell Butler. I was born in San Diego, California, on September 18, 1951. My parents are Henry Floyd Chappell and Gloria Williams Chappell. I was the firstborn in this union.

As a child, I was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia and spent a lot of time in and out of many hospitals. The doctors informed my mother that my days might be short and to never expect to give birth to children. But God had other plans.

While there was enough faith in my family to overlook what the doctors said about my life, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior and was baptized on January 25, 1958, at Calvary Baptist Church. From then on, I was His, and He was mine.

My family moved to Gardena, California, where I attended the local schools and graduated from Gardena High in 1969. I married the love of my life, Wayne Butler, on March 13, 1971. I gave birth to our son, Sheldon Howard Butler, and thought he was the most beautiful baby ever. I loved him with all I had in me.

I attended Compton Jr. College and graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills, with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I vowed to become a nurse as my dream was to help others. Still bound to go higher and further in my career, I continued to attend school, determined to learn as much as possible.

As a nurse, I worked for the County of Los Angeles and La Habra School District. I retired from the County of Orange as a public health nurse. I never stopped thanking God for all His goodness, but chose a career change. I retired from nursing and took up real estate. I became pretty good at it!

My Faith in God never wavered, although I was hospitalized many times. I always tried to come out with a new outlook on my life. My Christian faith was so strong and sincere, I always believed that God would heal me, and He did. Whenever talking to family, friends, nurses, doctors, hospital staff, or whoever would listen, I would remind them just how good God was and is to me.

My family, at times, call me Dr. Brenda. If there were ever an ache or issue, they would contact me with questions, or I would make “house phone calls.” I spent many hours researching and finding out just the right answers.

While living in the Los Angeles area, my family and I joined the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, where I served faithfully, my husband and I later united with West Angeles Church of God in Christ, where I served on the Usher Board. I loved every part of that auxiliary. I met many wonderful and lasting friends.

In 2019, my body changed, and I had multiple problems, but it never stopped me. These last three years were the best years of my life. I was the first Sickle Cell patient to undergo a double liver and kidney transplant. I also set the world’s record for one of the longest-living Sickle Cell patients in the United States. What the earthly doctors said could not be done; the mas physician said otherwise. Look at my God!

On Sunday, September 25, 2022, with my husband by my side, I closed my eys on this side and woke up in heaven.

I am preceded in death by my dear loving sister Francere Chappell Snell, my loving brother Duane, better know as Ricky Chappell, my grandparents Melvin and Verna Russell, and my parents in love, Clarence and Bernadine Butler.

I will be deeply missed by my beloved husband, Wayne C. Butler; my precious son, Sheldon Howard; my devoted mother, Gloria Viola Williams; my sister Janice Michelle Epps (Gary); my brothers, Michael Aaron Espy (Rhonda) and Otis Lee Espy 9LaGeshia). Three aunts, an uncle, my family-in-love, the Butler’s lots of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

I was raised to believe there is a time for everything, and I believe this was my time, so please love my so, encourage my husband, put your arms around my mother and love them for me.

My prayers have all been answered. I’ve finally arrived. The healing that has been delayed has now been realized. If you could see me now, I’m standing tall and whole. If you could see me now, I’m walking the streets of gold. If you could see me now!

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