Remembering doctoral student Anna Elizabeth Butler

Anna Elizabeth Butler (B.S.Ed. ’15, M.Ed. ’16, Ph.D. ’23), a student studying special education in the Mary Frances Early College of Education, died on Wednesday, Dec. 30. She was 28.

Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Butler enjoyed working with children with disabilities, teaching, and spending time with her six pets. While at UGA, she served as a lead teacher of the Center for Autism and Behavioral Education Research (CABER) model classrooms from 2016-2019. In 2017, she became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Additionally, she served as supervision director for the CABER model classrooms. Butler previously worked as a behavior therapist for Comprehensive Behavior Change and as a clinician and supervisor for the College’s Applied Behavior Analysis Clinic.

Butler is survived by her parents Marion and Darlene Butler, sister Catherine B. Henry (Cory and nephew Camden) of Watkinsville, Georgia, twin brother Brian M. Butler (Amber) of Alpharetta, Georgia, and brother David A. Butler (Natalie) of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Also, surviving are her grandmother Faye M. Butler, uncles Richard and Ronald Butler of Lincolnton, and aunt and uncle Dianne and Jim Morgan of Greenwood, South Carolina. Butler is also survived by her boyfriend William Davis Lance of Athens, Georgia as well as many dear friends. A private funeral service was held Sunday, Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. at Briarwood Baptist Church for the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, Butler’s family asks that you donate to the Mary Frances Early College of Education at the University of Georgia. The scholarship is in the process of being established. Please either make a check out to UGA Foundation by writing “Anna Butler” in the memo line and mailing the check to “Molly Thomas, G3 Aderhold Hall, University of Georgia, Athens GA 30602,” or you may donate online to the College of Education Fund for Excellence. When donating online, choose “College of Education” from the first drop-down and then choose “College of Education Fund for Excellence” from the second drop-down. Please put Anna Butler’s name either in the special instructions or comments section or the tribute section.

View Butler’s obituary on the Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes’ website.