Rachel Ann Love Butler, 81, retired from General Electric and long-time resident of Sixth Avenue, died Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at Maury Regional Hospital.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Carl May and Mack Liggett officiating. Burial will be in Love Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Love Cemetery Association, c/o Charlie Winchester, 310 Fifth Avenue, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com.

The Maury County native was the daughter of the late Esborne S. Love and Oma Shelby Love. She was a long-time member of Berea Church of Christ. Known as a wonderful cook by her family, she often prepared food to share with neighbors and friends. She loved flowers and gardening and was recognized by the Maury County Master Gardeners for the outstanding appearance of her yard on Sixth Avenue.

Survivors include two daughters, Patty (Mike) Anderson and Shirley (Ronnie) Hamilton, both of Columbia; two sons, William Carl "Billy" (Vickie) Butler of Theta Community and Gary (Ann) Butler of Paris, Texas; a sister, Mary Love Winchester Dodson of Columbia; a brother, Kenneth Love of Columbia; seven grandchildren, Eli Anderson, Natalie Anderson, Mark (Missy) Taylor, Hollie Hamilton, Adam Hamilton, Bryan (Heather) Butler, and Jennifer (Chad) Knight; seven great-grandchildren, Blake Knight, Chandler Knight, Gavin Knight, Bryce Butler, Chole Butler, Kinsley Taylor, and Kane Hamilton; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Love.

Pallbearers are Eli Anderson, Adam Hamilton, Mark Taylor, Bryan Butler, Kyle Cheek, Chad Knight, and Lee Winchester.