Gloria Beckham Butler

Mrs. Gloria Anne Beckham Butler reunited with her Heavenly Father on February 6, 2020. She was born April 7, 1947 in Spartanburg, S.C. , to W.A. (Alva) Beckham and BerNelle Calder Beckham. The family moved to Hartsville when she was four years old when they purchased Jackson's Cleaners.

Gloria met the love of her life in 1975 as the result of a blind date. She and Frank married two years later. According to Gloria, Frank was not only a wonderful husband,  he was a wonderful son- in-law, loving and helping care for her mother in her latter years.

Gloria graduated Hartsville High School in 1965. She served on The Retrospect staff and played on the varsity basketball team, coached by Billy Ziegler. While attending school, she and several others formed a folk music singing group called the Camelettes, performing for assemblies,  local civic groups and garden clubs. Her entire life, Gloria had begged her parents for a horse. Finally, on her 18th birthday, she became the proud owner of "Scotch n Soda", her beautiful chestnut gelding. She competed in local horse shows in the Gaited classes and dressage and was even asked to compete on horses owned by other people.She graduated from Carolina College of Commerce and began a thirty-eight year career in state government with the Department of Social Services, initially as a clerical worker and retired as a supervisor in 2005.

Gloria was a life time member of West Hartsville  Baptist Church and was an elected deacon. She had also served as Sunday School Director, a member of the handbell and adult choir and a Sunday School teacher. She also worked in G.A's and the youth, going on her first mission trip to Philadelphia.Mrs. Butler considered herself to be a good person and friend. She always said how blessed she was to have had such Christian parents and a wonderful brother who were great role models. She was known for her quick wit and sense of humor and loving to solve a problem. Most people would be surprised  to know that Gloria played the piano and guitar and composed music. She also wrote poems, but rarely shared them. She and Frank enjoyed golf regularly and loved the special friendships they made doing so. Long after she could no longer play, those friends were still in touch and doing what they could to help.

Gloria is survived by her husband, Frank Butler of Hartsville,  three nephews, Will (Rhonda) Beckham of Southhaven, MS, Brantley Beckham of Hartsville, SC, Charlie (Anna) Beckham of Charleston, SC, and her former sister-in-law, Jill Beckham of Santee, SC, three great nieces, Hunter Mixon,  WilBeth, Chesney Beckham  and Grace Beckham, two aunts,  Peggy Calder and Rose Calder and numerous cousins through out the US. She had an extremely close relationship with her cousin Ted Hall (Wanda) of Elgin and Lorie Calder Freeman of Darlington. She was preceded in death by her parents, W.A. (Alva ) Beckham, her mother, BerNelle Calder Beckham and only sibling, Al Beckham. A special word of thanks goes to Chip Harper, who she called "my adopted son", Loretta Moore, who was her loyal caregiver and friend and all her friends for their love and prayers over the years. She said they would know who they are!

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm Sunday February 9 at the West Hartsville Baptist Church. Rev. Kevin Walters will officiate. Burial will be in the Westview Cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home. Visitation will be Saturday 5-7 pm at the funeral home.

Norton Funeral Home is honored to serve the Butler family.