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Memorial Service For Lester Butts Set For Sunday
Nov 10 1999 12:00AM By BY MASHAUN D. SIMON Contributing Writer And News Wire Reports
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A memorial service for Dr. Lester W. Butts took place Sunday at Fredrick Douglass High School’s gymnasium. The retired Atlanta School Superintendent and longtime principal of Douglass High was laid to rest in a private funeral service. His remains were placed at West View Cemetery. Butts suffered a fatal heart attack last Saturday at his East Point residence. “Lester Butts was one of the most profound educators I know,” said Betty Smith, instructional coordinator at Douglass High School... “He stood as an example, and had a genuine sincerity. He was keenly interested in students who were socially and economically challenged.” According to Smith he taught the faculty as well as the students. “He had a way of making you feel a part.” Butts’ challenged parents to become more involved and responsible for the state of their schools. He urged teachers and administrators to put the needs of children ahead of their own. The first principal of Douglass High School in 1968, Butts became known as a pivotal educator as well as a stabilizing force in the Atlanta public schools district. Butts “could take students who would be considered below-average achievers” and show them that they “are as good as (any other) human being as you would find on Earth,” said Douglass Principal Samuel Hill, who added that Butts embodied what a great leader and a great man is. Butts began teaching in 1949 in Forsyth. He then moved on to become a principal of an elementary school in Luthersville in 1954. From there he went on to lead Douglass high school for 20 years, before becoming the Administrative Assistant to Dr. J. Jerome Harris, then-Atlanta Schools Superintendent. After Dr. Harris’ termination, Butts took over as Atlanta Schools superintendent and held that position for 31/2 years. In 1984, Butts helped Douglass become the first predominantly Black Georgia school to receive the National School of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Education. The school has also received WSB’s School Spirit Award. “Mr. Butts was well respected,” said Kathy Loving, historian archivist of Atlanta Public Schools. “He will also be well missed.” Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Butts Glanville of Atlanta; two sisters, Elizabeth Butts Walker of Milledgville and Ruth Butts of Atlanta; three brothers, Clifford Butts and Miller Butts, both of Sparta, and Albert Butts of New York; and four grandchildren.
©Atlanta Daily World 2009
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