Leona Fay (McWhorter) Butts, 83, of South Haven, Michigan peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family, on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Holland Hospital. Funeral service at 12 p.m. Monday, January 29, 2024 at Pagel Funeral Home in Edgewood, Illinois with a 2-hour visitation prior to service. Corben Matney will be officiating.  Leona will be laid to rest at Loy Chapel Cemetery in Effingham, Illinois. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude St., Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be expressed at www.pagelfuneralhomes.com

She was born November 30, 1940, in Effingham, Illinois to James R. McWhorter and Thelma L. (Campton) McWhorter. Leona married Darrell E. Butts on July 16, 1959 and this joyful union lasted until Darrell passed on August 15, 2010. Leona is survived by her daughter, Shirley (Jeff) Neigh, grandsons, Rick (Arielle) Butterworth, David (Samantha) Butterworth, granddaughters, April (Aaron) Martinson, Tiffany (Matt) Mokma, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter, bonus grand-children, Rebekah Foust, Priscilla Carson, one sister, Cleta Colclasure, one brother, Leroy Campton and several nieces and nephews. Leona was preceded by her parents, James Riley McWhorter Sr. & Thelma (Campton) McWhorter, husband, Darrell Butts, brothers, Lonnie, James Jr., William, Larry & Jerry and sisters, Virginia Cook and Lucille Tarpley.