Ted Merrill Butts

Dr. Ted Merrill Butts, age 73 passed away Friday, December 17, 2010 in Sebring, Florida. He was born in Webster County, Mississippi to Clint and Vera McKay Butts Curry. Dr. Butts was a Professor of Psychology at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, also served as the Chairman of the Department of Education at the University of Alabama at Huntsville; he was a contributing author for Field & Stream Magazine and an avid bass fisherman, he was a member of the Jaycees in Birmingham, Alabama, volunteer for the Samaritans Touch Care Center, he was a member of the First Baptist Church and had been a resident of Avon Park since 1995 coming from Huntsville, Alabama. He is survived by his wife-Jimmie Garner Butts of Avon Park, Florida; sons-Eddy Garner (Donna) of Florence, Alabama, Mark Garner (Ginger) of Bedford, Texas and Charles Garner (Cindy) of Hernando, Mississippi; sisters-Cora Bell Eidson of Eupora, Mississippi and Annie G. Brannon (Mike) of Hernando, Mississippi; brother-Robert Blain Curry (Sara Jane) of Eupora, Mississippi; 7 grandchildren-Candis, Drew, Hope, Jordan, John Mark, Bailey and Jamison; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers-James Delbert Butts and Jim Hugh Curry and a sister-Joy Kay Hillhouse and a grandson-Garrett. Avisitation will be held Sunday, December 19, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. with service following at 3:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church with Rev. Jon Beck and Rev. George Hall officiating. There will be a visitation and funeral service on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Walthall Baptist Church in Walthall, Mississippi with service to follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Willy Weddle officiating. Burial will follow in Eupora City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to World Changers-First Baptist Church, 100 North Lake Avenue, Avon Park, Florida 33825. Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home Avon Park, Florida Oliver Funeral Home Eupora, Mississippi