Gerald D. Butler, Sr.

Bro. Gerald D Butler, Sr. was born September 17, 1941, to Emmett and Irene Higginbotham Butler. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, surrounded by his family. A funeral service is planned for Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. at Soul Harbor Pentecostal Church in Shuqualak, MS with Bro. Jared Glover and Bro. Byron Foster officiating. Interment will be held in the Butler Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, February 23, 2024, at the church from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, February 24, 2024, from 1-3 p.m.at the church. Memorials may be made to Handfuls of Purpose, 4200 Butler Rd., Shuqualak, MS  39361 or AB of C Missions Department, attention: Clifton Beecher, 1887 Hack Brown Rd, Franklin, KY  42134. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Bro. Gerald D Butler, Sr. was born September 17, 1941, to Emmett and Irene Higginbotham Butler.  He was the youngest of the family.  He worked on the farm and hauled logs with his family from a very early age, sun up to sun down.  His parents instilled in him a strong work ethic that followed him his entire life.

Gerald graduated from Shuqualak High School in 1959.  He married Brenda Higginbotham on November 1, 1969, and they welcomed four children. Years later Gerald felt the call to preach. He hesitated at first but finally heeded the call and started his ministry. The first sermon he ever preached was on the radio station in Louisville, MS.

Bro. Gerald was known for his ability to operate heavy machinery.  He worked around the state building roads and bridges, earning him the name “Roadman”. He worked with Noxubee County for over 30 years, retiring as Road Manager. His main focus was pastoring, and he always held a job that allowed him to be available to his congregation.

Bro. Gerald had a love for sports and was very competitive.  He was an excellent baseball and football player in high school with an offer to play baseball at East Mississippi Community College.  He supported his children and grandchildren in their sports endeavors and could often be heard from the stands if the ref made a bad call.  He loved the Ole Miss Rebels and enjoyed joking with friends who did not! Bro. Gerald loved to deer hunt and always had walker dogs ready for the woods.  He was a founding member of Beaver Mountain Hunting Club.  Until his health failed him, he rarely missed saying a prayer with the members for a safe season on opening day. Bro. Gerald served as pastor of Ebenezer Pentecostal Church and Youth Leader at Butler Pentecostal Church.  He felt the Lord leading him to start a work in Shuqualak, and in September of 1978 Soul’s Harbor Pentecostal Church was formed.  He pastored there until his health failed him, and he officially retired in May of 2023.  He served not only the members of Soul’s Harbor but also the community as a whole. He often visited the hospital with the sick or visited with a family in the final days of the life of their loved one.  He truly had a servant's heart and a love for all people. His sacrifice for his family and church family was beyond comparison. Bro. Gerald would often work additional jobs building ponds or working with dirt and heavy machinery to earn extra money for prom dresses, sports equipment or anything his family needed.  He worked many hours on the grounds of Soul’s Harbor, so much so that he often joked that he knew members hated to hear from him on a Saturday because he was calling for a workday.

Of all his titles “pawpaw” was by far his favorite. After retirement he could be seen first in line to get the great-grand girls from school. All children were spoiled at Pawpaw and Nana’s house!

He is survived by his wife of 54 years Brenda H Butler of Shuqualak, MS; three children, Doug (Paula) Butler, Angie Higginbotham and DeAnne (Gray) Coleman all of Shuqualak, MS;  seven grandchildren Emily (Jacob) Strong, Colby (Mary Morgan) Higginbotham, Cade Higginbotham, Gracie Coleman, Colt Coleman, Brett Butler and Stone Butler;  two great grandchildren,  Ryleigh Maycock and Ava Strong; and a host of nieces, nephews and children he loved as his own.

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Melissa Butler, siblings Elbert Butler, James Henry Butler, Rhodam Butler, Bro. Bobby Joe Butler, Mildred Moody, and Dot Hailey