Cynthia Louise Butler

November 17, 1951 – February 12, 2026

Cynthia (Cindy) Louise Butler (Clifford), of Spring, TX, passed away on February 12, 2026, at the age of 74.

Cindy was born in Tulsa, OK to Rolland and Lola Mae Clifford on November 17, 1951. She was the oldest of three children, with her twin sisters, Carolyn and Marilyn, following right behind her. The family moved to Midland, TX where Cindy spent most of her childhood and teen years, graduating from Midland Lee High School. Following the sudden passing of her father, Cindy stayed close to home, attending Texas Tech University where she would get her degree in Music Education, and, most importantly, where she would meet and marry her husband, Grady Butler, on August 11, 1973.

After graduation, Cindy and Grady moved to Dallas, TX and started their family before moving to Spring, TX in 1979, where they would raise their three children, Wesley (b. 1977), Nicole (b. 1979), and Matthew (b. 1982). Cindy and Grady ordered their life largely around their church involvement where Cindy was most often found leading children's choirs and/or leading children's ministry. Cindy loved singing, whether as a soloist or as a soprano in the choir. Eventually she recruited her guitar-playing husband to love singing in the choir as much as she did and they passed that love of music on to their children. Cindy continued singing in the choir at Champion Forest Baptist Church and in "The Solid Rockers" choir until she was unable to do so.

Cindy loved beauty and sought to bring it into every environment she touched. In her younger years, she took a class to learn tole painting which led to a brief stint of running a business called "The Butler Did It", selling various decorative items at craft shows. She took great pride in decorating her home, even helping design the home she and Grady built and moved into in 1997. Christmas was, by far, her favorite time of year and for many years they hosted an annual Christmas open house so that all their friends could enjoy Cindy's decorative prowess and hospitality.

Above all, Cindy loved Jesus. Her love for Him, for His church and her passion for ministry eventually led her to pursue her Master's degree in Christian education, graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1992. Cindy put that degree to good use, giving her life to discipling children (the three in her home, first and foremost) and leading others to do the same, whether that be directing Vacation Bible School, taking children to camp, or leading the weekly children's ministry of the church. Eventually, her heart for ministry led her to inner city missions work at Mission Greenspoint, where she and Grady ministered to the underserved people of those communities for many years until Alzheimer's prevented her from being able to carry out her responsibilities there.

Her love for Jesus was the fuel behind her great love for her husband, children, and grandchildren. She leaves behind a legacy of fun and adventure that included world travels with Grady, "Grandparent Camp" for many summers, and, of course, her undying devotion to the Houston Astros. The memories she created for all her family are too many to count.

Cindy was preceded in death by her parents, Rolland and Lola Mae Clifford, and her sister, Marilyn Simmons. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Grady Butler, their three children and their spouses, Wesley and Brandy Butler of Richardson, TX; Nicole and James Gould of Tomball, TX; Matthew and Kristen Butler of Jenks, OK; and her grandchildren Josiah Butler, Selah Butler, Malachi Butler, Ella Butler, Grayson Butler, Jackson Butler, Olivia Gould, and Carter Gould. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn & David Simmons of Plano, TX.

Psalm 96:1–3

[1] Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!

[2] Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

[3] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!