Mrs. Ocie Taylor Butler was born July 23, 1941, in Opelika, Alabama, to Milliard and Katie B. Taylor. She attended and graduated from J.W. Darden School in Opelika, Alabama. Ocies entrepreneurship journey began during her young years. Her mother taught her to sew as a young child, and she began making fashionable apparel including school clothes for her family and friends. Ocie then became a hairdresser as an adolescent with customers lining up on her mothers porch to have their hair elegantly styled. Upon moving to Tampa, Florida, she married Walter C. Butler, and two children were added to their union. They were married for 42 years. She was known by many names such as "Auntie Ocie", "Butler", "Mama Ocie", and "Ocie B" to name a few. "Nan" as she was affectionally called by her grandchildren, was employed with the City of Tampa and retired after 28 years of service. Mrs. Butler founded and served as president of the Golden Stars at Woodland Terrace Park (Gwendolyn Miller Recreation Center), since 2009. She wanted to provide seniors with an opportunity to socially interact in their golden years, with arts and crafts. The Golden Stars also learned how to coordinate clothing, and they received instructional guidance from various professional groups. They were educated on how to live a better quality of life, and they often took group trips. Ocie last attended Harvest Church of Tampa under Pastor John Paladino where she faithfully served as a greeter. Ocie loved her family and often kept them in her thoughts and prayers.


She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter C. Butler; daughter, Carol Butler Brooks; son-in-law, Martin Cooper; and several other family members.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Lisa Cooper; grandchildren, DAndre Cooper (Shanta), Charles E. Brooks, IV, and Charnesha Brooks, Tampa, FL; twin brother, Otis Taylor (Mary Jo), Dadeville, AL; sister, Bernice Bunn (Johnny), Opelika, AL; and brother-in-law, Odell Helms, Tampa, FL; godchildren, Pamela Wilson-Caruthers, Christina Wilson-Smith, and Rechee Mitchell; special friend, Sonja Bexley; acknowledgments, The Golden Stars, Bagley, Balloon, Best, Bexley, Brooks, Butler, Cooper, Dominguez, Gordon, Grant, Kirkland, Mitchell, Roberts, Thomas, Wilson, and families; Woodland Terrace Community; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many sorrowing relatives and friends that she loved dearly.