Lagretta Lorraine Butler Van Stratum, born May 16, 1932, passed away in her home on Sunday March 10, 2013 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. 

We will miss Lagretta so badly but know that she is in no more pain and was so looking forward to being with and went so peacefully to Jesus. She lived every day to the fullest and remained very active until four months ago. She attended Bybee United Methodist Church. 

The daughter of Caywood and Lou Ellender Padget Butler, she was preceded in death by her husband Calvin J. Van Stratum, and one son, Maurice Van Stratum.  

She is survived by sisters Pat Butler and Roberta Barth and her brother Richard (Dickie) Butler. She leaves behind six children and their spouses, fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: son, Jacques Van Stratum, wife Gail and their daughter Kayla; daughter Eva Van Stratum, husband Craig Brumwell and her son Ernie Gray, his wife Melissa and their son Devan; daughter Vanesa Boles and husband Chris Boles, their daughters Shannon Kelley and her son Roland King and Courtney Humphreys, and her daughter Mariam; son Calvin Joseph Van Stratum II and his wife Wilma and their children Joey, Jacob and Blake; daughter Pamela Shirley and husband Tom and their children Greta Christin, Colton, Elijah, and Chloe, and son Caywood (Woody) Van Stratum and wife Kari and their children Andrew, Brandon, Catie and Ethan. In addition to her own children she reached out and opened her home to several other children through the years whom she cared for very much. 

After the death of her husband Calvin in 1970, Lagretta returned from Canada to Cocke County to be near friends and relatives and began a career in real estate which spanned over three decades.

She was an inspiration to her children with her sense of humor, work ethic, love of family, and wisdom, all the while doing her best to take care of others. Her enjoyment of life, the outdoors and being surrounded by her kids, grandchildren, and special friends lasted her whole life. She died peacefully in her home while surrounded by her family. She was incredibly loved and will be sorely missed. 

Special thanks to all friends, family and pastors who visited and sent words of encouragement. Funeral services were held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2013. A graveside service will be held at the Butler Cemetery on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are meeting at Manes Funeral Home at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Family and friends may sign the guest register online at www.manesfuneralhome.com.
Manes Funeral Home in charge