09/13/2025
Agnes Marie (McElya) Butler, 87 years old, of Paducah, Kentucky passed away at 4:44 PM on Monday, September 8, 2025.
Our Sweet Agnes Marie (SAM) passed away peacefully at Baptist Health Hospital on Monday. After accomplishing her last child’s raising, by watching Lexi Thompson (Pitchford) get married. Agnes got to be reunited with her husband as Lexi received hers. She was born at Western Baptist Hospital on September 2nd, 1938, to her parents Noel and Lucile McElya of Heath. She was known for her work ethic, obtained from her childhood farm. Her absence of fingerprints says it all. Her childhood consisted of the simple joys of growing up on a farm. Including learning gardening, you would always find her picking weeds with her gardening hat and golfcart. Learning homemaking skills, baking, and picking produce for the markets in town and attentively listening to the guidance of her parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncle. As well as corralling Paducah with her brothers and sisters, who tried to sneak her into the movie theatre once! Agnes graduated from Heath Highschool, one of the top of her class in 1956. She then started her family in Grandview, Missouri. Agnes was known by many as “superwoman” as she fostered a loving home for disabled children, as well as her own. She once stated, “My goal is to help children reach their fullest potential and to have society accept them as individuals”. Agnes’s career started during that era; she graduated from The Research Hospital Nursing Program in 1978. With her eldest son graduating high school in 1976 and youngest son in 1979. Her family prospered as a ‘unit’, completing their education together. Over the next 30 years she flourished in her nursing career as a Cardiac Care nurse. Agnes Butler, BSN. Her charisma and truly sweet soul led to many redemption stories and testimonials of those under her care. If you were to ask Agnes her greatest testimony from her career, it would be meeting the love of her life. On December 6th, 1987, in room 583. She took care of Ben Butler, who vowed to take care of her from that day on (After open heart surgery, of course). Agnes had moved back to Paducah, KY at this point to continue raising her children and working at Western Baptist on the Cardiac Care floor. Over the years she took on the responsibility of raising all her own children and grandchildren. Agnes and Ben provided a loving home and atmosphere for those that were never given a chance. Ben was a pastor, as Agnes a diligent pastor’s wife, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist and Oak Level United Methodist Church. She was a motherly figure to everyone she met and would never let you leave without at least a week’s worth of food. To her friends she was known as their rock and solid foundation. A woman that would simply listen and act with a pure heart. If advice was needed, she would point you to the nearest bible verse, as a preacher’s wife. Agnes lived an abundant life of giving and receiving love. In every situation, she found joy and Jesus. In her eyes, God had a plan and no matter if we stray, we will always end up exactly where his good hands lead. Agnes stated before she passed “Do not worry where I will be, I know exactly where I am going”. She would want everyone she has crossed paths with to believe that statement not only herself, but themselves as well.
Survived by sons Bruce Pitchford (Sarah), Marc Richardson (Foster Son), and stepdaughter, Susan Butler; brothers Jerry McElya (Judy), Bill McElya (Cathy); sisters Janice Pace (Ted), Faye Spillman, Linda Fowler (Gary); grandchildren, Rachelle Reynolds (Gene), Shawn Pitchford (Brittany Tabor), Danielle Thoman (Ethan), Tabatha Pitchford, Todd Pitchford (Judy), Tanner Brown (Kathleen), Lexi Pitchford (James), Gabe Pitchford, Dustin Lawrence; great-grandchildren, Zoey Reynolds, Zeven Reynolds, Liam Pitchford, Ariel Pitchford, Tally Pitchford, Jada Peeler, Cayden Thoman, Declan Thoman, Natalee Binkley, Lily Pitchford, Brooklyn Jones, and Tucker Brown; and survived by several nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her husband, Ben Butler; children, Wes Pitchford, Christy Pitchford, and Johnny Lawrence (Foster son); parents, Noel and Lucille Crenshaw McElya along with aunts, uncles, and friends.
Funeral services will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Hughes Funeral Home in Paducah with Bro. John Smithmier and Bro. Keith Tilford officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Paducah.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, September 19, 2025 at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions made to Massac Methodist Church, 2065 Mayfield-Metropolis Road, Paducah, KY 42001.
You may leave a message of sympathy or light a memorial candle at www.hughesfuneral.com.
Hughes Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.
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