Lawrence Melvin Butler "Pop"

March 25, 1932 - June 30, 2020

Lawrence Melvin Butler, 88, of Charlotte, NC, died Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at the Levine and Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate. Lawrence, known as "pop" to his current family, was born in Dillon, SC, on March 25, 1932, the son of Victor J and Augusta Wiggins Butler. He grew up on a farm in Fairmont, NC, and was subsequently drafted in the United States Army to fight in the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he went into the cattle business and was an independent trucker. He spent his life as a trucker, working for Florida Steel, Reeves Brothers Inc, and Wenco Inc. After over 30 plus years of faithful service, he finally retired. Proud of his driving record and a testament to his skills, he joined the Million Mile Club for his safe driving over all those miles and received numerous awards. On Christmas Eve of 1961, he married Ms. Pamela Knight, a young lady whose sister worked at a sale barn that Lawrence would purchase cattle from to take to New York. After showing up in a limo to pick her up, and even when Pam’s father offered her a Pontiac Bonneville not to marry that man, they still stayed together and celebrated over 58 years together. When not working, Lawrence loved working with his hands and working outside. Whether doing carpentry, tending to his garden, tinkering with old lawnmowers, or fishing with his son and grandson, he never stopped doing the things he loved. And though the life of a trucker kept him from home for much of his career; when he retired, he made up for lost time with his children and grew much closer to them. Clearly, what he loved most in life was the time spent with family and friends. In the end, he testified to his belief in Jesus and as his passing neared, he looked forward to being with his Lord. Lawrence is survived by his wife, Pam, of Charlotte; his two children: Shannon Butler of Monroe, NC, and Angela B. (husband Sam) Patterson of Matthews. Lawrence is further survived by six grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant sister, Mary Elizabeth. Lawrence’s family has given the family of Lowe-Neddo Funeral Home the privilege of caring for him and for them. In life, Lawrence believed in supporting the local DAV Chapters and St Jude Hospital. In honor of this, please direct any memorials or donations in Lawrence's name to either of those two organizations, online at www.dav.org or www.stjude.org