Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

February 19, 2026

Millicent Hope Butler, known to all as Penny, passed peacefully at home on February 19, 2026 ending what was, until the very last days, a full and active life. Nicknamed the " energizer bunny," Penny felt blessed beyond belief with the gift of living to 106 and was determined to continue to enjoy every opportunity to socialize, dance to the music and look forward to the next big event, whether it be an outing to the symphony or a new great grandchild. Having only moved to Charlotte a few years ago after 60 years in Greensboro, she was quick to make friends and participate in all that she could at The Barclay.

Penny was born at home in Jersey Shore, PA on January 4, 1920 to her mother, Edith Marie Fox, and father, William Moses Haberman, a civil engineer. She spent her early years in Bellerose and Rockville Centre Long Island. Penny's father was of the opinion that girls did not need to attend college and thus, upon high school graduation, she took the train to NY City every day to be trained as an executive secretary at The Katharine Gibbs School. Penny absolutely loved the City and relished studying art at the Art Students League under the tutelage of George Bridgman. Many nights were spent dancing at supper clubs to the Tommy Dorsey Band and being met at the station by her worried father as she caught the late night Long Island Railroad train back home where she lived until her marriage.

It was at Bankers Trust Company, where she was employed as an executive secretary, that she caught the eye of a young bank teller, Henry "Frank" Butler, who became the love of her life. They exchanged love letters while he went off to serve as a marine in the Pacific in WWII. Becoming engaged during midnight mass Christmas eve 1947, they married August 1948. Frank's jobs took them to Chicago where their first son, Kevin, was born and then they spent many years in Corpus Christi, Texas, a city Penny always claimed was her favorite place to live. The following years brought transfers back to Chicago and the birth of two more children, Lori and Keith, to NY again and ultimately to Greensboro, NC. Penny was a homemaker, enjoying the game of golf, and being an active volunteer for her children's activities. When the children were in high school and college, she polished up her shorthand skills and worked at the NC Credit Union League. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with Frank, continuing her love for painting in oils, volunteering at Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro, and bragging about the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren.

Penny was predeceased by her husband Frank, her son, Kevin Butler, and her granddaughter, Whitney Marie Dunlap. She is survived by son Keith Butler and wife Anne of Charlotte, NC, daughter in law, Marie Butler of Chesapeake, Va, and daughter Lori Carey and husband Paul of Fort Worth, Texas; grandchildren Laura Ahern, Catherine Butler Rymer, Christian Butler, Collin Butler, Devin McNulty, Ryan Miller; and great grandchildren Parker Ahern, Maren Ahern, Maeve McNulty, Quinn McNulty, Hadley Miller, Marley Miller and Hayes Miller.

The family would like to thank Susan Cureton, Laverne Jackson, Roslyn Gray and Katrina Germain for their devoted care to Penny. Also, many thanks to her Barclay "family" - her many caring friends and the wonderful staff!

A funeral mass presided by Father Frank O'Rourke will be held at The Barclay at SouthPark at 10 AM on March 3, 2026, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to VIA Health Partners ( Charlotte's Hospice and Palliative Care agency at www.viahp.org).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral and Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com