Debbie Oliver Butler went home to Jesus on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at the age of 51.

A private graveside service will be held Wednesday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Columbus, MS.

Debbie was born to the late James and Mittie King Oliver on September 5, 1969, in Columbus, MS.  A native of Columbus and a life-long member of Fairview Baptist Church, she graduated from Lee High School and MUW; and later graduated with a Master's in Religious Education with an Emphasis in Children's Ministry in 1993 from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  After seminary, Debbie first worked at Community Counseling Center and later served as the Children's Minister at Fairview where she invested in the lives of numerous children and families.  After stepping down as the Children's Minister, Debbie continued to faithfully serve her church by leading Girls in Action (mission group) Bible study classes, and small group discipleship groups.

She and her husband Carey Butler have one son John James Butler.  She instilled in her son strong values that have served him well.  She treasured her son and enjoyed every moment with him, from cheering him on at his sporting activities to watching many MSU games and NASCAR events.  Debbie also enjoyed reading, board games, and spending time with her friends and family.

She greeted everyone with a smile and positive spirit.  Debbie was never shy about her Christian faith and was quick to tell you through the good and hard times that God is good!  To know Debbie was to know a woman who loved life, her husband, and her son.  But more than anything she loved Jesus and knew Him as her Lord and Savior.

In addition to her parents, Debbie was preceded into heaven by her children Logan Oliver Butler, Landy Paul Butler, and Emmy Ameliar Butler.

Survivors include her step-mother Lynn Oliver, step-brother Bradley (Karen) Claxton, step-sister Alicia (Jared) Mott, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In leu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fairview Baptist Church Bereavement Fund, The Debra Butler Memorial Fund in care of The Lowndes County Funeral Home, and phassociation.org (Pulmonary Hypertension Association).