This obituary was originally published on Rogers & Breece Funeral Home.

Julia Rebecca (Sherrill) Butler passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026 at the age of 88. She was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on December 11, 1937 to Rufus Elmer Sherrill and Ruby Simmons Sherrill. She attended and later graduated from Massey Hill High School in 1956 where she excelled in Cheerleading, Basketball, and Softball. Julia met her husband Earl R. (Moose) Butler while in school at Massey Hill. After high school, she attended the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina, later UNC at Greensboro, and graduated with a degree in Business Education in 1960.

Julia returned to Fayetteville and began a career in education that lasted over 33 years. During her career, she taught business at Pine Forest High School, Eastover Central High School and later became a certified Elementary Media Specialist where her tenure took her to Ashley Elementary School, Douglas Byrd Elementary School, and finally Seventy-First Elementary School where she retired in 1994.

Throughout her life, Julia was an active member of Massey Hill Baptist Church where she worked many years as a Sunday School teacher, Lay Leader, and Church Historian. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend to many. Julia loved to read, work in the yard, spend time with family, and serve her church in any capacity needed.

She will be remembered for her love and service to family and friends, her strong faith, and her steadfast support of her husband in his tenure as Sheriff of Cumberland County.

Julia is preceded in death by her parents and her husband of almost 60 years, Earl R. (Moose) Butler. She is survived by her daughter, Karen L. Butler of Fayetteville and son, Earl R. Butler, Jr. and wife, Martie Butler of Pinehurst, NC and her sister, Patsy A. Jordan of Fayetteville. Julia is also survived by three grandchildren: Jordan E. Butler (Colleen) of Raleigh, NC, Harrison R. Butler and Julia T. Butler, both of Pinehurst, NC.

Visitation for family and friends will be at Roger & Breece Funeral Home on Friday, May 15  from 6-8 pm. The funeral service will be at Massey Hill Baptist Church on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Tim Evans officiating. A gravesite service and burial to follow at Cross Creek Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Massey Hill Baptist Church or a charity of your choice in her honor.