Veronica Joyce (Gremillion) Butler

Veronica Joyce Gremillion Butler was born in Mix, Louisiana to  Elizabeth Esnault and Charles Gremillion on November 21, 1938. She received her early education at St. Augustine’s Elementary School and graduated from New Roads High in New Roads, Louisiana. Upon graduation, she entered the Convent of Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, Louisiana. She then faithfully served in Belize and British Honduras with the Sisters of the Holy Family for eighteen years where she held the position of teacher and principal for the local school. Upon her return to the United States she enrolled at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) majoring in food and nutrition, receiving a Bachelor of Science (BS) in May of 1974. She completed internship at Tuskegee Institute at John A. Andrew Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama 1975.

Veronica Joyce Gremillion and Nathaniel Butler entered a courtship in 1977. They were joined in holy matrimony on August 4, 1979 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Durham, North Carolina.  She became a committed and dedicated stepmother to Nathaniel Butler’s sons, Howard and Michael Butler. In February 1982 Joyce and Nathaniel would adopt Monique Butler. The family made a decision to foster children in their home who were in need of love through Lutheran Family Services. Soon the family would grow with three additional adoptions of Karen, Shawn and Michelle.

Throughout her professional career, Veronica Joyce Gremillion Butler held the position of Head of the Dietary department at Murdoch Developmental Center in Butner, North Carolina followed by a successful entrepreneurship, using her God given talents of sewing. Rather quickly she gained the status of a Master Seamstress in the community.  Joyce would then go on to dedicate her life’s works with various community organizations such as Aliva Retreat Center in Bahama, North Carolina. She also humbly assisted in giving comfort to the elderly and the sick and shut-in; while delivering meals through Meals on Wheels. Joyce was a humble servant and a faithful member of Holy Cross Catholic Church; as well as a beloved and honored member of the Ladies Altar Society and the Senior Crusaders.

Veronica Joyce Butler will be missed immensely by her husband, Nathaniel Butler; sons Nathaniel Howard Butler (daughter-in-law Janice Butler) and Shawn Campbell; daughters C. Monique Butler, Karen Woolford (son-in-law Leon Wolford) and Michelle Woods (son-in-law Adrian Woods); grandchildren, David Butler, Saniya and Alexander Farmer, Ava and Ayden Woods and Makayla Woolford.

Joyce leaves behind sisters, Rena Ramsey-Caldwell (husband Hiliard Caldwell), Nora Porche (husband Michael Porche), Margaret Porche, (daughter)(Goddaughter Trudy Porche), Glynette Sheppard (husband Richard Sheppard); brothers, Luke (Peter) Gremillion (wife Gloria Gremillion), and Charles (Pee-Wee) Gremillion (wife Stella Gremillion).

She also leaves behind her first nieces and nephews, Erica Ramsey-Bowen, Monique (Nikki) Jackson,Trudy Porche, Crystal Polar, Christy Monroe and Veronica Gremillion; nephews, Dr. Keith Ramsey, Anthony (Peanut) Porche, Paul Gremillion and Lewis (Poopsie) Gremillion, along with her Holy Cross Family, and a host of extended relatives and friends.

Preceded in death who we dearly remember…her parents  Charles and Elizabeth Gremillion; son Michael Butler; brother Louis (Big Daddy) Gremillion (wife Yvonne Gremillion); nieces Stacy Senegal, Monica and Carla Gremillion; nephew Charles (T-Bo) Gremillion.

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