Claudia Butler

Gaffney, SC- - Claudia Glenn Vassy Butler, 69, of 111 Beaver Dam School Road, after a courageous battle with cancer and surrounded by family, went peacefully into the arms of her Savior on August 28, 2024 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home.

Claudia was born and raised in Gaffney, SC to the late David Leon Vassy and Mary Paul Glenn Vassy. While a native of Gaffney, Claudia also held a deep affection for Athens, GA (hometown of her mother) and The Georgia Bulldogs, sparking the yearly tradition of "Christmas in Athens with 'The Glenns'." A graduate of Gaffney High School, Class of '73, Claudia furthered her education at Furman University as a member of the Class of '77. Her roots of faith have extensive depth; she gave her life to Christ and was baptized at a young age at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. She later joined First Baptist Church of Gaffney, where she served as a devoted member for over 40 years. In 2017, Claudia became a licensed minister.

Claudia married the love of her life, the late Steve Butler, on September 9, 1978. The couple welcomed their greatest gift on September 6,1985, when they adopted their beloved son, Paul Butler. Known for her motherly love and disposition, Claudia was notorious for fostering an environment of love, peace and grace, and she was seen as a mother to many.

Claudia is largely known for her 15-year tenure with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), during which she spent countless hours on the road, traveling to camps and retreats and pouring into hundreds of young people, as she hoped to ignite for them the same fire that burned for The Lord within herself. Known to huddle leaders as "Mama C", it was common for all to be drawn to her infectious smile, incomparable love and undeniable light.

Multifaceted in her gifts and abilities, Claudia's legacy stretches from singing groups such as Charity and the Furman Singers, to work at accounting firms, to serving on the board of the Cherokee County Children's Home, and to ultimately landing her long-standing position with FCA. Claudia took great joy in advocating for Women's Ministry - desiring for women to hold space where the focus is placed solely on personalized discipleship and mentorship for women of all ages and stages. While ensuring that the Gospel spread as far her reach would allow, "home base" was forever prioritized by Claudia, and the student-athletes to whom Claudia ministered lived for her weekly Bible studies, including occasional pool or hot-tub baptisms as Claudia's students came to know Jesus.  Her heart was open to all, and her home was as well - providing a space of safety, warmth and shelter to multiple young women.

Claudia spent her life aiming to model her most cherished Bible verse, Romans 8:28, which states "For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord, those who are called according to His purpose." Through her battle with cancer, her posture and heart remained pure, solid and unwavering as she wanted, above all else, for God to receive the glory through all she experienced.

Annual Christmas gatherings and bi-weekly zooms with her beloved "Furman Suite", chats with "The Belles", and girls' trips with her FCA women colleagues characterized Claudia's relationships with her extensive list of loyal friends.  Her outgoing and magnetic personality attracted the purest of souls to be in connection with her.

She is survived by a son, Paul Butler (Jessica), granddaughter Nevaeh, and covenant daughter Ashlee Tate; a brother, Dave Vassy (Becky); her father-in-law, Harley Ware Butler; brother-in-law, Don Butler (Connie); nieces, nephews and a host of cousins; godchildren Margaret Anne White (Timothy) and Philip Dieckman (Marie). In addition to her husband and parents, Claudia was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Lillie Mae Bryant Butler.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:15 PM on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Gaffney, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2:30 PM with Dr. Tommy Huddleston, Reverend Kevin Hampton, Mr. Dave Vassy, Miss Ashlee Tate, Mrs. Tomi Wier, Mrs. JoAnn Dieckmann, Mrs. Shirley Callahan and Mrs. LeAnn Phillips officiating. A YouTube live-stream will also be available at http://youtube.com/@firstbaptistgaffney.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, 200 North Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC, 29340 (fbcgaffney.org/giving) or FCA, "Cherokee County Women's Ministry", P.O. Box 117, Spartanburg, SC, 29304.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC