Deacon Vandy was the son of Levi and Rutha Winsley Butts. In the words of Vandy with a smile and chuckle, “I was born in Dry
Branch Georgia, the Peach State; but I was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the Buckeye State!” At age six, his family moved to Cleveland.
He was the oldest of seven siblings: three preceded him in death, Bishop Stanford, Gloria, and Liza.
His parents were members of Williams Temple Church of God in Christ. It was there, teenager, Deacon Vandy gave his heart to Christ.
He received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under *Bishop R. F. Williams and continued his spiritual growth under *Bishop U. E. Miller
and *Bishop Warren E. Miller. His faithful service included the Usher Board, Junior Choir, and other church auxiliaries. In 1972,
Deacon Levi Butts, Sr., went home to be with the Lord. Bishop W.E. Miller immediately elevated Brother Vandy to Deacon Vandy.
Around 1998, Deacon Butts was among the first members to join the newly established, OMC Fellowship COGIC, where he continued
to serve as Deacon.
Deacon attended Cleveland Public Schools and finished at John Hay High School. He enrolled and completed Cleveland State
University’s Credit Union Accounting courses (1967) and was treasurer for Williams Temple Credit Union until it merged with Antioch
Church C.U. To further educate himself, and at the insistence of his best friend, *Deacon Emmanuel Riley, he enrolled in specialized
skills training. Upon completion, he received an Engineer’s & High-pressure Boiler License. The City of Cleveland hired him. After a
few years and looking ahead, he saw opportunity at Cleveland Public Schools. With a leap of faith, he applied. He became and was
Head Building Custodian until retiring in 1998.
A natural entrepreneur, after completing H&R Block Tax courses, H&R management immediately hired him. His time and experience
with H&R motivated him to establish Butts Income Tax Service. Due to excellent tax advice to clients, low fees, and phenomenal
customer service, Butts Income Tax grew. It was so successful, H&R sought to purchase the business for several years. Finally, forty
years later, he sold it to his nephew, Joseph. Butts Income Tax still lives in Euclid.
Deacon Butts loved family! Married to *Georgiann Butts, twenty-four years, his beautiful children, Valerie, twins, *Cornelius and
Conita, and Anthony Butts were born. He often spoke of how proud he was of them and his love for them. Sunday mornings before
leading his family to church, grits, hot biscuits, bacon, and eggs were his breakfast specialty. Family prayer was his habit; but family
vacations, bar-b-ques, and the park were his pleasures. His CB name was Hott Biscuit!
He was suave and debonair. In his loving style, he won schoolteacher, *Inezes’ heart. Married 24 years, they enjoyed cross country,
never the same place twice, road trips and cruising. He lovingly cared for her until the Lord called her home in 2010.
He loved his church family too. He often visited the sick with his brother, Nate. He supported State Meetings, National Convocation,
and District Meetings. Church was his life and he believed in the Lord’s work. Deacon Vandy called upon his daughter, Valerie, many
times, to assist him with the implementation of his OMC endeavors. She never turned him down; she enjoyed the secret of working
behind the scenes, with her dad for his church.
Last but certainly not least, Deacon loved God with all his heart. He noted God’s love for him when he extended his life after open heart
surgery in October 2013. God again showed His love, and mercy when, “He granted my prayer request to attend the 2023 Butts, Smith,
Winsley, Moore family reunion in San Diego. I know He knows my heart.” Won’t He, do it?
Deacon Butts leaves to celebrate his life his children, Valerie Denise Miller (Ronald), Conita Marrs (William) of San Diego, CA, and
Anthony Butts (Dawn) of San Diego.
Grandchildren: Sonequa (Dion), Antwon (Melanie), Sheri, Tyvonny, Anthony (Amaya), Peter, Isaiah (Samantha), Jordan (Jasmine),
and Jada. Great grands: Curtis (Mistie), Destani, A’diva, Aaric, Breonna, DeLonzo, Ellijah, Savannah, Christopher, Marvin, Ary, Ethan,
Chloe.
Great great grands – Zaire, Alecianna, Ember, Aubrianna, Adalynn, Annsli, Autumn, Sirr, Aaden, Aubriella, Serenity, Kai, Alessia,
Zaria, Emery, Annie, and Jhene.
His brothers, Pastor Levi Butts (Debbie), Pastor Andrew Butts (Dorothy) and Assistant Pastor Nathaniel Butts (Juanita).
Deacon Butts also leaves a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends who dearly loved him.