Cathy Smart Butler

Cathy Smart Butler, beloved wife, sister, mother, grandmother, friend to so many, and a true Southern lady passed away peacefully on June 30, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. Cathy was born in Washington, DC on February 5, 1943, to parents Catherine and Solon Smart. She grew up in Cliffside, North Carolina. Cathy graduated from Chase High School and attended Meredith College - she was a true Meredith angel - and she earned a degree in Education and Religion. Her high school sweetheart and future husband, Ron Butler, was right across the street at NC State University. After graduation, Ron and Cathy married in 1965 and moved to Asheville to begin their lives together. They welcomed daughter, Melissa, and son, Blake, not long after. After several years of teaching elementary school, Cathy began her successful real estate career. She was the principal owner of Butler and Associates Realtors, Carroll Butler Demos and Associates, and an agent at Beverly Hanks and Associates. She was also a partner with Ron in their construction and development companies. Cathy was a member of First Baptist Church Asheville for 56 years. She was a deacon, a Sunday School teacher, and served the church on numerous committees. She was a member of the First Baptist Asheville choir and had a beautiful voice for God. Cathy had a deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ, her savior. Cathy and Ron were married for 58 years; raising their children, building their careers, traveling the world, and being with their grandchildren. They enjoyed decades of time at the beach, and they were each other’s constant companions and best friends. Cathy was blessed to spend the last eight years in the Thoms Estate community with many close friends. Cathy is survived by her loving husband, Ron, daughter, Melissa (Tony), son, Blake (Spencer), sister, Patti, and her grandchildren Jake Reed, Sydney Butler, Josh Reed, and Keenan Reed. Cathy’s grandchildren were her world. A private family service will be held in the Sacred Garden of First Baptist Church Asheville. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the First Baptist Church Asheville Sacred Garden, and/or the Cathy S. Butler Memorial Fund at The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. Checks can be written to CFWNC (4 Vanderbilt Park Drive, Suite 300, Asheville, 28803) with Cathy S. Butler Fund in the memo line or click on the following link https://cfwnc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=7864 to donate online now. Your contribution will be used to support Meredith College and UNC Asheville in memory of Cathy S. Butler. To truly celebrate Cathy’s life, keep a smile on your face, a laugh in your heart, a strong faith in God, and accept and love everyone. Cathy never met a stranger, and her laughter was infectious. She lives on in all of us. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. It is well with my soul.

Tributes

Cathy Smart Butler

February 5, 1943 - June 30, 2023