Obituary of Vernell P. Butcher

Vernell "Peggy" Butcher was born in Danville, VA on May 17, 1936. After a long illness she departed this life to be with our lord and savior on May 29, 2022, at the age of 86. Peggy was the second of four children born to the late Walter Toomer & Annie Mae Morrison Toomer Watkins. After her parents divorced when her & her siblings were young, Peggy's mother remarried and the family moved from Danville, VA to Toledo, Ohio. Peggy attended primary school in Toledo, Ohio and later the family moved back to Danville. She enjoyed summers in Chatham, VA at the home of her maternal grandparents Frank & Ethel Morrison. Times became hard for the family. Peggy's mother took a position as a cook in dietary department at a local college in Freeport, NY leaving Peggy & her siblings with their grandparents for six years. After six long years of separation the family was reunited. Peggy was a hard worker; she began working as a babysitter at the age of 10 years old. She also did private duty nursing when she got older. Peggy often went to Manhattan for relaxation, good food and fun. Her late brother-in-law set her up on a blind date with the owner of a restaurant called Butch's in Manhattan, the owner was Oliver Butcher. Peggy & Butch started dating and fell in love 5 years later, they got married on July 17, 1964. She described Butch as the "love of her life". They were blessed with 2 children, Michelle Butcher (Williams) & John Butcher. They were married 49 years before his death May 4, 2014. Peggy accepted and served the lord at an early age. She was baptized in Jesus' name in New York by Bishop Rogers. In late years Peggy became a long-time member at Greater Bible Way Temple Church in Philadelphia, PA, where she served as a member of the Missionary Society & Nurses Ministry and Assistant to Bishop Peterson Sr. & Jr. Peggy loved to cook, Butch taught her how to make his mom's homemade rolls from scratch and he would often joke that with her being the student her rolls were better than his. She leaves to cherish her devoted, loyal, loving children, Michelle (John), John Butcher, Grandsons Corey D. Hairston, Tyriese J. Butcher, Granddaughter Nyisha Seddens, Great Granddaughter Corinne Hairston; (Nephew) Glenn Toomer; (Adopted Daughters) Adrianne Frazier, Shontaine Manick, Ruby Ratliff, Deborah Youns; (Godchildren) Erica Washington, Teddy Smart, Rasheen Tarplay, Roderick Toppin, Derrick Morrison; (Special Cousins) Linda Samuel, Frances Washington, Kat Witcher, Michele Towson; (Special Friends) Barbara Jean; And a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, great nephews, and great nieces. In her transition family members who proceeded were her Husband Oliver Butcher; Parents Walter Toomer & Annie Mae Watkins; Siblings Gerldine Battle, Welsey Toomer, Elder Joe Lewis Toomer. Lovingly Submitted, The Butcher Family