Item Q12
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: June 16.2004
Division:
District 1
Bulk Item: Yes
No
Department: Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
A resolution honoring the life of Vera Vanderline Smith Butler, who passed away on May 20,2004 at
the age of 107, the oldest known person in Key West.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
Vera Butler's relatives credit her long life to her no-drinking, no-smoking policy, while others believe
it was her steadfast faith, spirituality and love of gospel music that filled her home on Mickens Lane.
PREVIOUS REVELANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNTPERMONTH_ Year
APPROVED BY: County Arty ~ OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management_
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
-t~/ );}. · ~Am
(Commissione(Dixie M. Spehar)
DOCUMENTATION:
Included X
To Follow
Not Required_
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #l:l12
Revised 2/27/01
RESOLUTION NO. 2004
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY IN
RECOGNITION OF THE LATE VERA BUTLER
WHEREAS, Vera Vanderline Smith Butler passed away on May 20,2004, at the age of 107, the oldest known
person in Key West; and
WHEREAS, Vera Vanderline Smith Butler, was born on March 31, 1897, to Janus and Rosana Jane Smith
in Key West, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Vera Butler, affectionately known as "Ma Vera", met and married the late Samuel "Bookie"
Butler at an early age. From this union five children were born, four of whom preceded her in death. Ma Vera was a
loving mother to her own children and to every child in the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Vera Butler was a lifetime member and oldest mother of Trinity Presbyterian Church; she
enjoyed attending church and singing hymns; she held various offices with the church throughout the years. She
enjoyed visiting churches of all denominations and was a lifetime member ofthe Order of the Eastern Star; and
WHEREAS, Vera Butler's relatives credit her long life to her no-drinking, no-smoking policy, while others
believe it was her steadfast faith, spirituality, and love of gospel music that filled her home on Mickens Lane; and
WHEREAS, Vera Butler is survived by her devoted and only living son, Robert F. Butler, Sr.; daughter-in-
law, Alfridina E. Butler; 25 grandchildren; 67 great-grand children; 44 great-great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-great-
grand children; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; 1 sister-in-law Jerline Butler; a devoted god-child, Norma Jean
Shorter Attanda; her extended church; the convalescent families, and a host of sorrowing friends; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA:
Section 1: Hereby adopts this Resolution as a permanent record of the love and respect in which Vera
Butler was held by her family and by the community throughout Key West.
Section 2: Upon approval of this resolution, Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar is hereby designated to
forward a copy to Vera Butler's family expressing the Board's Sorrow.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida, at a meeting
of said Board held on the day of , A.D., 2004.
Mayor Murray E. Nelson
Mayor Pro Tern David P. Rice
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
(SEAL)
Attest: DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By
Deputy Clerk
By
Mayor/Chairman
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