Submitted by: Dan Rich
Milton A. Butts, Sr.
Jan. 21, 1915 - July 3, 2000
South Bend Tribune 7/6/2000
Dr. Milton A. Butts, Sr., was born to Levi and Elizabeth Butts on January 21, 1915, in Petersburg, Virginia. He was the youngest of seven children. Dr. Butts graduated from Peabody High School in Petersburg and Virginia State University in 1937. He graduated with honors, majoring in pre-medicine. He taught school before his induction into the U.S. Army in 1943. While in the Army he took advantage of a special program to attend medical school. In 1946 Dr. Butts completed his medical degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, as a physician and surgeon. He did his internship at Harlem Hospital in New York. He later lived and worked in Beckley, West Virginia, where he met and married Willie Mae Shelhorse. When the Korean War broke out, Dr. Butts was again called to serve as captain in the United Stated Army. After being wounded, he was honorably discharged and received the Purple Heart, the United Nations Service Medal, and two bronze campaign stars.
Dr. Butts moved his family to Elkhart in 1952, and set up his practice. He was the first African- American physician on staff at Elkhart General Hospital. Because of the need for African-American doctors in South Bend, he commuted between the two cities, later moving to South Bend in 1953. His practice was on the corner of West Washington and Walnut Street for a few years. His permanent office was located at 118 N. Walnut Street for 37 years. Dr. Butts had many opportunities to move his practice, but felt committed to serving the people who resided in the western part of the community. He was dedicated to serving people in need of health care, and made himself available for house calls and consultations as needed. He retired in 1990 at the age of 75, having served the South Bend community faithfully. In his leisure time, Dr. Butts enjoyed playing golf with the Par Putters.
Dr. Butts joined Pilgrim Baptist Church in 1953 under the pastorage of Rev. W.H. Harris. As an active member, he served on the trustee board for 46 years. He served as chairman for 37 years. He also served as one of the first members of the church's scholarship committee. Because of his dedication to the health profession and his love for children, the family is setting up a scholarship in his name.
Dr. Butts held appointments to the medical staff at Memorial Hospital and Saint Joseph's Medical Center. He was a member of the St. Joseph's County Medical Society, American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, a Life Member and Charter Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Meharry Medical College Alumni Association. Dr. Butts served on the Board of Directors of the South Bend Hering House Community Center, and was a charter member of the South Bend Urban League. He was a charter volunteer for the Chapin Street Clinic. Dr. Butts served on the Board of Directors of the West Washington-Chapin Revitalization Project and Hansel Center. He also served as a consultant physician for the Hansel Neighborhood Service Day Care program.
Dr. Butts was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Theta XI Lambda Chapter, King David Lodge #53, P.H.A., and Wabash Consistory No. 77, Prince Hall Affiliation, Northern Jurisdiction, USA.
Dr. Butts has received the following honors and awards: Meharry Medical College President's Award for 25 years of Service to mankind, and recognition for 50 years of outstanding and dedicated service; St. Joseph's Medical Center award for outstanding contributions to health and medical services, and long-standing service to St. Joseph's Hospital; the Department and Family Practice Medical Staff of Memorial Hospital appreciation for loyalty and years of service (1953-1990); Hansel Neighborhood Service Center Eugenia Braboy Humanitarian Award; John Adams High School Cultural Awareness Society service award; appreciation award from the Northern Indiana Historical Society for contributions to the heritage of the St. Joseph River Valley; and the Metropolitan Civic & Democratic Club Outstanding citizen service award (Solidarity Day). Dr. Butts also received many other community and civic awards.
Dr. Butts is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Willie Mae Butts; three daughters, Myra L. Butts, South Bend, Diane Bates, Philadelphia, PA, and Brenda E. (Rudolph) Norman, Willingsboro, NJ; two sons, Kenneth A. (Rinalda) Butts, Omaha, NE, and Milton A. (Teresa) Butts, Jr., Fayetteville, NC; nine grandchildren, Nicole, Kimberly and Veronica, Omaha, NE, Jason and Crystal, Fayetteville, NC, Eric, Allen and Elena, Philadelphia, PA, and Britney, Willingsboro, NJ; great-grandson, De'Andre, Omaha, NE; brother, James R. (Adele) Butts, Durham, NC; sister, Margaret Allen, South Bend; nephew, Courtland (Joyce) Butts Sr., Philadelphia, PA; great-nephew, Courtland (Shelly) Butts, Jr., Hillsborough, NJ; great-niece, Joyce Butts (Lance) Lewis, Chicago, IL; two great-grand nephews, Courtland, III, and Malcolm; sister-in-law, America (William) Ross, Gary, IN; god-daughter, Denise Rowlett-Busch, Detroit, MI; and a host of other relatives and lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Pilgrim Baptist Church Scholarship Fund in memory of Dr. Milton A. Butts, 116 N. Birdsell Street, South Bend, IN 46628.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 7, in Alford's Mortuary. Services will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, in Pilgrim Baptist Church. Entombment will follow in Riverview Mausoleum.