Correne Butts

Correne Elizabeth Metzger Goodall Butts 1923-2019

A beloved wife and cherished mother of six, Correne Elizabeth Butts of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, entered this world following her twin sister, Norrene Frances, on November 1, All Saints Day, 1923.  She was the fourth child of Charles Dennis and Helena June (Alchin) Metzger. The twins joined their sister, Theda Bernadette, and their brother, Charles Allen.  Correne passed into eternal life at age 95 on July 6, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. She was a woman of faith who went to Mass, said the rosary and believed in the power of prayer. She remained present in mind and strong in spirit through to her final days.

Correne was born in Flint, Michigan.  She lived in Flint and Burton, having spent a few years in Fenton as a child during the depression. She spent sixty- six years in her Davison Road home.  She relocated from Burton, Michigan to The Palms – Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in 2017, living just two miles from her daughter, Mary, and son-in-law, Greg Guidos.  There she enjoyed constant family care, visits, new friendships, laughter, playing cards and the special devotion of the Guidos' great Golden Retriever, Scout.

Her first marriage was in 1941 to Francis Lafayette Goodall (1919-1947).  He served as an Army Sergeant in WWII and later was employed by Michigan Lumber Company. His parents were Sidney and Ellen (Paquette) Goodall, and their family included a brother, Joseph, and 5 sisters, Mary, Dorothy, Berniece, Gertrude and Alice.  During this time, Correne worked on the inspection line at A.C. Spark Plug Division of General Motors, Flint.  In 1949 she married George Lee Butts (1921-2010) who had served in the Pacific in WWII as a Marine Corps Sergeant.  His parents were Eural and Mary Lou (Wallace) Butts. His family included a brother, Al, and a sister, Maxine.  George and Correne moved to Davison (now Burton) in 1953, and he retired from Flint Buick Engine Plant # 36 after 45 years.

Notable for her gracious hospitality and generosity to all, Correne hosted holiday and extended family celebrations.  She was an engaging conversationalist, quick with wit and wisdom that was served up with good humor, charm and passion.  If you were fortunate enough to know her, you were also fortunate to be loved by her.

She spent her time unselfishly supporting others and unconditionally loving.  She enjoyed family travel, bowling league, ladies' card club, piano, Altar Society, antiquing, discovering treasures to share, and being Band Mother at Holy Rosary Church and School in Flint.  She had a high fashion style and an eye for art and design.  She was especially fond of lilies of the valley, lilacs and roses and would effortlessly make beautiful flower arrangements from these and all the plants grown in her flourishing  garden.  In summers she followed the Metzger tradition of taking their children camping and swimming at Tipsico Lake in Fenton where she would meet up with her siblings and their families.  She provided health care, trips to the doctors' office and childcare to friends and family, she also cared for generations of Cockapoo pups, homeless neighborhood cats, wild squirrels and birds.

She was most dearly thankful, she said, for her loving husbands, children and grandchildren; and for the many caring relationships with family and friends.  She was very grateful for the loving support of the Goodall sisters, who so lovingly supported her after Francis passed. Correne and these sisters remained loyal and devoted to one another throughout their lives.

Her parents, her siblings and their spouses, the Goodall and Butts parents in law, as well as the Goodall and Butts sisters and brothers in law preceded her in death.

She was a fabulous mom, a magical perfect grandmother, an awesome great grandmother and a very special attentive godmother, aunt and friend.  She is survived by her children:  Bethany Wiser (James) of San Francisco, CA; Suzanne Pocze  (Roger) of South Dartmouth, MA; Janelle O'Malley (Kevin) of Menlo Park, CA; George Karle Butts of Burton, MI; Mary Lisa Guidos (Greg) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Andrea Lee of Boyne City, MI; grandchildren: Steven Wiser (Lynda Schueler); Michael Wiser (Sarah); Andrea Pocze-Silva (Matthew); Lissa Pocze-Murphy (Kevin); Kelly Kirby (Chris); Adam Collardey (Nairin); Lindsay Guidos; and  Amy Guidos-Schara (Quinn); great grandchildren: Mayah Wiser; Max Wiser; Nina (Pocze) Silva; Lea (Pocze) Murphy; Kendall Kirby; Mateo Collardey; and Brooke (Guidos) Schara; step grandchildren: Renee Ketcher Brant (Cole) and their infant daughter, Sage Elizabeth; Dryden Steele and Campbell Steele;  Godsons: Stanley Joseph Krupa III (deceased) and Joseph Wiltse.   Always in her love were all the Metzger, Goodall and Butts nieces and nephews and their families.

We all learned how to live and love from her extraordinary example.  This is evidenced in the legacy that she leaves.  Her strength and generosity enriched us all.  She made everyone feel significantly important and appreciated.  Her handprint is on our hearts.  We will continue to love her forever and ever...in her own words, “always in all ways.”  Son George says, “God bless us.  Oh, He has!”  When remembering Correne, we share her guiding philosophy, “People may forget what you say or do, but they will always remember how you made them feel.”  She accomplished this with every visit, every conversation and every card and letter that she wrote.

In her honor be conscious of her inspiring nature.  As a memorial gift follow her example…listen attentively, choose to be helpful, do everything with love and always be kind.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, October 11, 2019 at 10 am. St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 404 North Dayton Street, Davison, Michigan. Reverend Father Andrew Czajkowski, celebrant. Visitation will be an hour prior to the Mass at the church. Following Mass,

the family will host a luncheon at the Davison Country Club, 9512 East Lippincott Blvd., Davison, Michigan. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Private interment at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, Holly, Michigan.