Maurice "Markie D" Lionel Butler

Maurice Lionel Butler, affectionately known as "Markie D", 52, resident of Charleston, Missouri died December 30, 2019 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  He was born March 12, 1967 in Charleston, Missouri to the late  Willie Jarrett and Maedine Butler.

He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at an early age while attending Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, Missouri.

Markie D attended Charleston Public Schools and was a graduate of the 1985 class.  He went on to attend Three Rivers Community College and  Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, ultimately receiving  a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.  While attending college, he served as assistant camp  director at the 4-H camp in  Lake Wappapello, Missouri.

He was the co-founder of O. A F. social organization that promoted brotherhood and social justice awareness where he served as vice president and social events director.

On January 11, 2013,  Maurice was united in marriage to LaWanda Moore.  To this union one daughter was born.

Markie D found employment with Susanna Wesley Family Learning Center in Charleston, Missouri supervising  youth summer job programs and tutoring students at the Bowden Center also in Charleston, Missouri.  His last employment was with the Lincoln University Extension Charleston Outreach Center as a community outreach worker.  While working in this position, he worked with many department heads from the state of Missouri, such as Minority Health Director, Joe Palms and Yvonne Matthews, Interim Director at Lincoln University.  He promoted education and social justice awareness.  He was a true champion of the people, especially if he called you his friend.  Markie D never met a stranger and he would help anyone that was in distress.  He will be sadly missed.

In addition to his parents, he is also preceded in death by his grandparents, and one brother, Curtis Neal.

He is survived by his wife, LaWanda Butler of Charleston, Missouri, one daughter, Makala Butler of Charleston, Missouri, five brothers, Willie (Denise) Jarrett and Chris Booker of Charleston, Missouri, David (Anita) Butler of Joliet, Illinois, Malcolm (Tracy) Jarrett of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Wilbur (Rachel) Moore of Las Vegas, Nevada, five sisters, Gloria (Berry) Taylor of Campbellville, Kentucky, Barbara (David) Stovall and Angela Moore of Charleston, Missouri, Sheila (Darrell) Brown of Davenport, Iowa, and Letitia (Michael) Wortham of Mokena, Illinois, the guys in Charleston, Cape, Family Dogs and the O. A. F. , two sisters in Christ, Mrs. Helen Woodside and Ms. Sherry Maxwell, and a host of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Friends may call Friday, January 10, 2020 from 12:00 noon until the funeral hour of 1:00 P. M. at the Bowden Center in Charleston, Missouri with Pastor Arthur Cassell officiating.

Interment will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery near Charleston, Missouri with the Williams Funeral Home of Charleston, Missouri in charge of arrangements.