Deva Jean Buttram

December 11, 1943 - July 26, 2017

Obituary For Deva Jean Buttram

Deva entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, July 26, 2017. She was born in Kenmare, North Dakota and was adopted by the late Thomas Mack and Mercedes Munro, of Kalispell, Montana; where she grew up.

She taught in a one-room school house in rural Montana; and became a foster mother for a total of 13 girls (ages 13-19 years old). In 1968, she moved to New Jersey with her six months old daughter, Christine. She was employed by Warner Lambert Pharmaceuticals, and later for Allied Chemical in their marketing departments. She married Robert Brunner in 1969, and had a son August “Thomas” in 1970. In 1977 she married the true love of her life, Edward “Lloyd” Buttram. He had three children from a previous marriage; David, Jeanine and Doug. In 1977, the family moved to Midland, Michigan where she was employed by Northwood Institute. She was the epitome of a naturally born homemaker; admired for her flair of decorating, entertaining, and devotion to her children and the community. In 1981, they moved to the Raleigh area of North Carolina. She was employed by Cameron-Brown (later named Wells Fargo) for many years and retired in 2009.

Deva was predeceased by her beloved husband, Lloyd Buttram. She is survived by her loving daughter Christine (Greg) Miller; and her devoted son, Thomas (Terri) Buttram; and her step-children, David (Marlene) Buttram, Jeanine Denning (Mark), and Douglas (Laura) Buttram. She leaves behind her precious grandchildren Aaron Thomas and Matthew Blair Miller, Jason and Elizabeth, Alex and Natalie, and Camille, Brett, Pierce and Brooke. She is also survived by her sister Mary Esther and her husband, Bill Stiles, of Dallas, Texas; and nephews Roy, Jay, and Morgan Stiles. Her greatest love was her family.

Deva always knew she had a biological sister named Nancy. In 2014, she asked Josh Shaffer of the News and Observer, to help locate her biological sister, Nancy. He located Nancy in Arizona, and Nancy called her on April 17th. They both cried. Nancy flew to Raleigh, and they finely met after seventy-one years. Deva found she had two living half-brothers, Robin and Larry; and another sister, Verna. All were welcoming and gracious. They all kept in contact through telephone calls and letters.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Intermountain Childrens Services at https://intermountain.givingfuel.com/donate

Services

TBD

Cemetery

Raleigh Memorial Park Glenwood Avenue Raleigh, NC Get Directions »

29 Jul

Visitation

10:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Raleigh Memorial Park 7501 Glenwood Avenue raleigh, NC 27612 Get Directions »

29 Jul

Funeral Service

11:00 PM

Raleigh Memorial Park 7501 Glenwood Avenue raleigh, NC 27612 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

September 01, 2020

Tonya Penny

Lit a candle in memory of Deva Jean Buttram
September 01, 2020

Lisa Barbour

To the family of Miss Deva, I am so very sorry for your loss. My son, Tanner, and I have been neighbors of hers for many years. She was kind and thoughtful. We used to have our best talks on the back porch, hoping a nice breeze would come by and make music of the wind chimes. She was bold and brave and strong and a wonderful friend. She was so interesting and I loved talking with her. She loved her family very much! And she spoke of Lloyd a little teary eyed but with a smile on her face. I feel that they are back together now and she's smiling all the time. Your very big blended and extended family has our sincere condolences. She was a wonderful lady and we are better people just for knowing her. With love & prayers, Lisa and Tanner Barbour
September 01, 2020

Kerri Habben

My mother and I want to offer our sincere sympathy to Thom, Terri, and all of Deva's family. She brought me much joy and gave of herself with a kind, loving heart. I am grateful I learned to know her when I was a teenager and also to speak with her about finding the rest of her family. I could hear the gratitude and affirmation in her voice, and I am thankful how the gift of reuniting blessed her and her sibling's lives. I have also thought of her adopted mother, Mercedes, who I also remember fondly. We will keep all of you in our prayers, and we will always remember Deva with a joyful, grateful heart. Kerri Habben