Frances Jeannette Butler Tilman was born to the late Leroy Butler and Juanita Tillie Butler July 26, 1941, in Oneonta, Alabama.

She graduated from Southside High School in Oneonta, and later became employed as a domestic worker. Frances also held several local factory jobs in town before deciding to move to Boston to make a better life for herself. Enrolling in the Boston Medical Assistant Training Program, Frances secured a position at the Boston Medical Center, and soon its affiliated hospitals and health centers, where she remained four decades before retiring.

Known for her soft-spoken words and unique laugh, Frances lived by her motto “always enjoy life to the fullest.” She enjoyed a good laugh and maintained an active social life visiting with friends and going to the movies. When she wasn’t busy out shopping or attending worship and bible class, Frances participated in exercise classes at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury or spent time in her yard cutting the grass and tending to her flower garden.

Frances was always preparing to take a trip to visit with family and friends. Her last vacation was in Galveston, Texas where she enjoyed Thanksgiving by the beach with family and spoke of plans for her next trip; whether to Chicago to visit her adopted son and daughter, Bernard and Yolande Stubbs, or home to Alabama to see her loved ones.

God, family and showing love were the focus of Frances’ life. She considered becoming a Christian at the age of 13 her greatest accomplishment. She dedicated her life to the work of the church, from her decades of service at Roxbury Church of Christ and Milton Church of Christ, to serving as the director of the Fellowship Committee at the Church of Christ in Abington, where she also enjoyed participating in the outreach ministry, visiting the sick, and singing in the choir.

Frances was dedicated to helping others. She often opened her home for Sunday dinners to anyone who showed an interest in a home cooked meal and provided a safe haven for college students and others to live. She was big on sending cards to wish others well, providing comfort in times of bereavement, and birthday greetings.

Frances departed this life Dec. 31, 2021, at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. She is preceded in death by her parents: Leroy Butler and Juanita Tillie Butler, brothers: Leon Butler and Bethester Butler, sisters: Lorine Stockdale, Louise Black, Ollie Phillips, Bernice Butler and Ruby Miller.

She leaves to mourn her daughter, Teressa B. Meuse, Grandson: Akeem Pritchett, six great grandchildren: brothers Jesse (JC) Butler, Nathaniel Butler (Doris), Theotus Butler (Patricia), sisters: Betty Oliver and Esther Large, and a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.

Funeral Service Tuesday, January 11, 2022 in the Church of Christ, 81 Walnut Avenue, Roxbury at 11 o’clock. Visiting Hours 10 -11 am at the church. Interment Private.