Tommie Butcher
Tommy Butcher, 83, stepfather of county singers Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn and Peggy Sue, died here at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 1996, at his home.
According to those who knew him, he was an interesting man, an optimist and someone who was devoted to family. "I first met him, I don't know, probably more than 20 years ago," said family friend Martha Jones. "He worked very hard. Butcher Hollow in Kentucky was named for his family. "He was a very interesting man. He was an optimistic man. It was great fun to be around him. His family was devoted to him."
Mr. Butcher used to operate "Jubilee," a place where country music lovers could listen to music, and would-be singers and musicians could perform, Mrs. Jones said. "He started that in the '60s," step son Don Webb said. "He used to get Opry stars to come in on weekends. He probably ran that for 10 years."
He was very proud of the accomplishments of stepdaughters Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle. "He had pictures up all over the house of them," Webb said. Webb will remember Mr. Butcher as a father. "He was always there for us," he said.
He was born on Jan. 27, 1913, in Weeksbury, KY., to John W. and Tishie (Castle) Butcher. He married Clara Marie Webb Butcher on Nov. 26, 1960 in Wabash. She died on Nov. 24, 1981. A Wabash County resident for 44 years, Mr. Butcher retired from Essex, Andrews. He was a World War II Army veteran and a member of the Wabash Freewill Baptist Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Roy (Lawanda) Pegram, Columbus, Ohio; three step-sons, Herman Webb, Van Lear, Ky., Donald Ray Webb, Wabash, and Jay Lee Webb, Nashville, Tenn.; four step-daughters, Mrs. Oliver (Loretta) Lynn, Hurricane Mills, Tenn., Mrs. Sonny (Peggy Sue) Wright, Mrs. Gene (Betty Ruth) Hopkins, and Mrs. Bill (Crystal Gayle) Gatzimos, all of Nashville, Tenn.; three sisters, Mrs. John (Alice) Music and Mrs. Roy (Elva) Smith, both of Wabash, and Mrs. Hobert (Tillie) Skaggs, Urbana; several grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. One stepson, two brothers and three sisters are deceased.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Wabash Freewill Baptist Church. The Rev. Venny VanHoose will officiate, assisted by William Bowling. Burial will be in Falls Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Eddingfield-DeLaughter Mortuary.".
Donated by: D. Sisco jeni2000@comteck.com