ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. and HOULTON – Josephine “Jo” Simmons Butler, 79, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, June 1, 2005, in Dade City, Fla. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Rev. Robert Butler; her daughter, Lori Craig and her husband, Frederick, of Houlton; two granddaughters, Heather Flewelling and her husband, Jay, of Monticello and Sarah Craig of Houlton; one great-grandson, Nicholas Craig of Houlton; two sisters, Joyce Frith of Randolph and Shirley Jamison of China, Maine; one brother-in-law, Richard Butler; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Thomas Butler; two brothers-in-law, Richard Jamison and Burt Frith; and one sister-in-law, Barbara Butler. Jo was born May 22, 1926, in Augusta, the daughter of Clyde and Cherrie (Grant) Simmons. She attended Farrington Grammar School and graduated from Cony High School in 1944. Jo also attended Central Maine General Hospital School of Nursing and received her associates degree in nursing in 1947. In 1974, she went to Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, to receive her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She taught nursing for many years in Houlton, retiring in 1988. She had been wintering in Zephyrhills since 1989 from Houlton. Jo was an active member of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Houlton and more recently of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Zephyrhills, Fla. She was a working member of the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine of North America, Eastern Star and Daughters of the American Revolution. Jo enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Jerold R. Stadel officiating. Memorial services will also be held in Maine at a later date. Whitfield Funeral Home and Cremation Services, our hometown family serving your family, Zephyrhills, Fla.
JOSEPHINE ‘JO’ SIMMONS BUTLER
