Obituary of Dr. Anne S. Butler

<b>Obituary</b> Anne Ocelia (Stewart) Butler; Significant Moments in HerStory Anne Ocelia (Stewart) Butler was born June 23, 1948 in Stanford, Kentucky (Lincoln County), as the 4th of 5 children born to Lucian J. Stewart and Mary Catherine (Greene) Stewart. Although of humble childhood beginnings and adversity, Anne was destined to achieve and to contribute greatly and uniquely to the world around her: her state of Kentucky birthplace, her family and with all whom she came into contact. During her childhood, Anne excelled academically and displayed a startling bright educational promise. All who met her attest to the fact that she was one of the most relatable and intelligent persons they had ever had the pleasure of meeting. Throughout her life "Dr. Butler," (lovingly referred to as "Dr. B.") realized her destiny. The places and the people she served and the sea of people she came into contact with, were all richly affected and bear the indelible mark of her influence and of the seeds of knowledge and compassion she planted as a result of her deeply held spiritual beliefs. Anne loved culture, food, sports, politics, movies (old westerns were her favorite) and mythology. This love and curiosity was reflected in her unique talent of discovering and uncovering local, around-town, out-of-the-way diners, dives and shops. In 1970, she earned her B.A. in Sociology from Eastern Kentucky University; and in 1979 she received her M.S. in College Student, Adult and Community Counseling from the Kansas State University College of education. She continued her education at Kansas State University and in 1990 received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Policy Studies, with an emphasis on race, gender and multicultural studies. Throughout her professional career Anne was a strong proponent of children's education and community strength. She was truly a champion in this cause. In 1970 she began her professional career as the Director of the Frederick Douglas Community Center in Manhattan, Kansas until 1972. After which she Coordinated and Taught for Head Start Education program for the next 5 years. In 1977 until 1996 her progressive career with Kansas State University began. From 1979-1992 she was the Counselor and Outreach Coordinator for the Office of Minority Affairs. She then progressed to becoming the Director for Educational Supportive Services (a federally-funded TRIO Program), Advisor to the Ebony Theatre Company and Faculty Advisor for Field Based Community Service Student research Teams. From 1992 to 1996, Dr. Butler served in dual academic and administrative capacities as Director and Assistant Professor, Women's Studies Program for the College of Arts and Sciences and as Assistant Professor for the Graduate Program in Counseling and Educational Psychology. From 1996-1997, Anne took an 18-month leave of absence from these responsibilities to assume a position and duties as the Director of the Women's Educational Equity Research project. During this federally funded appointment, Anne's distinguished research and scholarship contribution included her work with her publication: Black Girls and Schooling: A Directory of Strategies to Improve the Academic Performance and Persistence Rate of Black Females K-12, and continued with nine more scholarly works reflecting her resourcefulness, curiosity and passion of unearthing and chronicling little or unknown African American contributions and history. Anne truly appreciated the value of the arts and continued her role as advisor to the Kansas State managed theater group, but rather than planning and organizing the events, with a keen artistic sense she curated the events. She concluded her professional career at Kansas State University in May of 1996. Sensing a strong pull back to her birthplace, Dr. Butler's career and ardent passion for history, scholarship, community and family directed her towards Kentucky. Her return home provided her the precious opportunity to care and spend the time needed with her mother prior to her mother's death in January of 1997. Anne took to this next phase of her life beginning the pinnacle of her career from 1996 to 2006 as Kentucky State University's founding Director for the Center of Excellence for the Study of Kentucky African Americans. Beloved Dr. B. delved into groundbreaking research into the history and contribution of African Americans in the state of Kentucky with a deep fervor. Her research would have her literally and figuratively "breaking ground" excavating historical war sites; garnering several millions in grant funding for the University; producing and participating in published and unpublished research into the African American contribution to Kentucky's rich thoroughbred horse industry. Anne also participated in projects on great black jockeys, Kentucky churches, collegiate sorority and fraternity organizations, Kentucky families, including descendants of renowned civil rights leader, Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks, slave owners, slaves, free women and men, family genealogical searches, and the African Cemetery No. 2. While these areas and specifically named projects encompass Anne's expertise, the numerous projects under these banner projects are endless. A frequently sought after guest lecturer/researcher by the community at large, Dr. Butler was also sought after by the media to participate in national and local documentaries for television, including, ESPN and Kentucky Educational Television (KET). For KET, Dr. Butler served as consultant on the Underground Railroad in Kentucky. Dr. Butler made critical contributions to the research on Margaret Garner, the Kentucky slave woman, who was the central character of the story Beloved, by author Toni Morrison. From 2006 until her untimely death, Dr. Butler served the Kentucky State University and the Region as the Director of the Office of Regional Stewardship and Public Engagement and was an Associate Professor with the Whitney Young School of Honors and Liberal Studies and a distinguished member of the President's Senior Leadership Council, and the Council of Deans, Chairs and Directors. With its goals to strengthen connections between regional universities and their area of geographic responsibility, Anne was particularly excited about leading the Regional Stewardship initiative at Kentucky State. Based on her past professional experience she welcomed the opportunity to review and adopt policies aimed at increasing outreach and engagement with PK-12 schools, incorporating greater numbers of service- learning opportunities by faculty and students, and holding conversations with community leaders regarding local issues to make more efficient use of intellectual and social capital. She developed a program with funding from the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education focusing on the following thematic areas: Innovative Economy-preparing people and places to succeed, Education and engaged learning-developing partnerships with regional school districts to assist in preparing students at the precollege level; Livable communities-enhancing quality of life in a variety of initiatives; and Social inclusion-holding difficult conversations and assisting communities in their efforts to address issues of diversity. Following the success of the Regional Stewardship program, Anne received a $500,000 grant which became a part of the Kentucky State University base budget. Recently Anne was commissioned by the President of the University to purchase of a Historical Building in downtown Frankfort, KY along the Kentucky River. The building will house the "Kentucky River Ecology Interactive Display," an interactive display designed largely as a resource for pre-K-12 students and as a public education resource. An interactive floating science barge, on the Kentucky River, will serve as a resource for students at all levels of the educational pipeline. The building will also house class-rooms equipped with cutting-edge technology, and the University's museum and archival collections. All of which is a direct result of Anne's tireless work. Anne leaves behind three children she loved deeply, son Marvin age 41, Olathe KS, daughter Jacqui, age 34, Lithonia, GA, and adopted daughter, Bemnet Fantu-Downes of NC, three grandchildren, Adonis, Remi and Brody, a sister Lucille (Yvonne) Campbell currently of LaGrange GA, 5 nephews and 5 nieces, and a "village" of loved ones, friends, and colleagues. While Anne's reach was great, she maintained a humbleness of true servant hood without losing her sense of artistic humor. To this end, please enjoy the following limerick, a piece written specifically for her on the occasion of her 50th birthday by one who Anne loved and one of many who loved Anne. The Limerick as Nifty as Anne Turning Fifty There once was a girl from Kentuck, Who had a great deal of pluck. For adventure she yearned, From Kentucky she turned, And Kansans all said, "What Luck!" Now this girl from Kentuck was Miss Anne, And in Kansas she found there a man. In time there were three, Baby Marvin was he, As a wonderful family began. In time Miss Anne from Kentuck Had another big share of luck. With Marvin near seven, Another gift from heaven, Little Jacqui, like Mother, with pluck. But then the four became three, Little Marvin, Miss Anne, and Jacqui. Not one to give in, Determined to win, Little Marvin, Miss Anne, and Jacqui. Now her mind was exceedingly sharp, She was clever right from the start. Her reading and history Soon brought a Ph. D., And in Woman's Studies she played a big part. The play and the harp were beloved by Miss Anne, And traveling all over the land. Adventures she had, More good times then bad. She laughed, and she loved, and she planned. Then heeding a call from the state of her birth, With feelings of sadness and mirth, From Kansas she turned, To her roots she returned, And made CESKAA renowned on the Earth! But the story doesn't end here. For Miss Anne is always in gear. With new goals in mind, Never one that's blind, To the future of all that is dear. Happy Birthday Anne! <b>Funeral Information</b> Visitation for "Dr. B" will be Thursday, May 9th, 6:00-9:00 pm at the Clark Legacy Center, 3000 Versailles Road, Frankfort KY. The Memorial Service will also be held at Clark Legacy Center, Versailles Road on Friday, May 10th 11:00-1:00pm. On Saturday, May 11th, 9:00am, Dr. Butler will be awarded an honorary degree at the Kentucky State University Graduation.