Dorothy Virginia Engle Butler

Dorothy Virginia Engle Butler, 88, of Engle, passed away Friday, Nov. 14, 2014, at Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg.

Born Nov. 18, 1925, at Alta Vista, in Engle, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin Earl and Mary Elizabeth Gageby Engle.

Dot graduated from Harpers Ferry High School in 1943. She planned to attend college but when her father decided to operate the general store and post office at Engle, she abandoned her college plans and helped her parents operate the store and post office. During the years of World War II, Dot corresponded with many of the local servicemen both in the United States and overseas, keeping them informed of the happenings at home and letting them know they were not forgotten.

Dot married the love of her life, Calvin Butler on Jan. 4, 1947, in the Virginia Avenue Baptist Church, Halfway, Maryland. They enjoyed 67 years together and were looking forward to their 68th anniversary in January 2015. Calvin and Dot farmed in Engle for 25 years. She was the typical farmer’s wife, cooking, canning and preserving food for her family.

Her parents left the general store in Engle in the 1950’s and opened the general store at Reedson. Dot worked at that store with her parents until after her father’s death when her mother sold it in the 1960’s. She then worked at the first People’s Drug Store in Charles Town. From there, she went to work as a cook at Shipley Elementary School, retiring as head cook in 1987.

Dot was a member of the Engle United Methodist Church. She joined the church at the age of 12 and attended services faithfully until the past two years, when her health would not always allow her to attend. She served on the church council, was Sunday school superintendent and taught Sunday school for many years.

Dot was a wonderful cook and known especially for her homemade cakes. She was a sweet and caring lady who loved her family, friends and life. She will be missed by her family, friends and church.

She is survived by her husband, Calvin L. Butler, of Engle; daughter and son-in-law, Ida Mary Butler Hull and Lynn “Ed” Hull, of Shepherdstown; a special cousin, Kenna Banks, of Engle; and special friends, Lisa Franzen, of Shepherdstown, Carolyn Master, of Bakerton, D.L. Morgan, of Shepherdstown and Charlene Freese, of Martinsburg.

Services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at Eackles-Spencer & Norton Funeral Home, with the Rev. Luther Osment officiating. Interment was in Edge Hill Cemetery in Charles Town.

Memorial contributions may be made to Engle United Methodist Church, c/o Carol D’Angelo, 592 Engle Switch Road, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.eackles-spencerfuneralhome.com.