Obituary for The Honorable Mable Butler
Trailblazing Orlando City Commissioner, Orange County Commissioner, and beloved community matriarch
“Let the works I’ve done, speak for me” – Mable
The Honorable Mable Butler passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in Orlando, Florida, at the age of 98. A history‑maker and tireless advocate for equity, opportunity, and dignity, she made indelible contributions to Central Florida and beyond as the first Black woman elected to the Orlando City Council and the first Black person elected to the Orange County Commission. Of all the titles given to her, the most important were Momma and Grandma.
Early Life
Mable Butler was born in Gainesville and raised in Jacksonville, Florida. After graduating from high school and marrying, she attended New York City College, majoring in social service. She moved to Orlando in 1957 and soon joined Mayor Carl Langford’s biracial committee. As chair of the Housing Committee, she documented discriminatory rental practices, work that helped lead to the creation of the Orlando Human Relations Department. She was instrumental in the growth and development of the Meals on Wheels program and the Christian Service center, both organizations that helped families and people in need.
In 1984, Butler was elected to the Orlando City Council, becoming the first Black woman to serve on the council. From 1990 to 1998, she served two terms as an Orange County Commissioner representing District 6 -- the first Black person elected to that office. Her leadership consistently championed affordable housing, representation within public agencies, and investment in historically underserved neighborhoods. Among her many accomplishments, she was instrumental in bringing the Florida Classic to Orlando, generating cultural pride and economic opportunity for her community and local businesses.
Community Leadership & Service
Beyond elected office, Butler remained a constant presence in community life -- mentoring young leaders, encouraging civic participation, and advocating for seniors. She helped advance the creation of the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center and, even in later years, could be found supporting programs and planning outings there. Her longtime home street, formerly named Minor Avenue in the Washington Shores community, was renamed Mable Butler Avenue in recognition of her decades of service. For her advocacy and love of people, Butler received numerous honors, awards, proclamations, and prestigious recognitions. She is widely regarded as the “matriarch of Black politics in Orlando,” a testament to her courage, candor, and unwavering focus on results. The door was always open; she made the community her family and they made her theirs.
Personal Qualities
Butler was a competitive bid whist card game player and was known to her family and close friends to be one “helluva” cook, an avid fisherman, a competent golf player, and a devoted collector of frogs. She often dispensed prudent guidance from her dining room table, after preparing breakfast, lunch or dinner for the leaders of today and tomorrow. Leadership did not happen in Orlando without Mable Bulter’s input. Whether it was a corporate CEO, commissioner, mayor, congressperson or other leader, everyone took a seat at Mable Butler’s table.
Family
She leaves to fondly celebrate her memory, children Renaa Biggers, Ronaa Ali, Royce Flagler, Dr. Marcia Flagler and Terrance Flagler, a host of grandkids, great grandkids and great-great grandkids.
Service Arrangements
“The Mable I Knew” Celebration will be held on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center, 1840 Mable Butler Avenue Orlando, FL 32805. The Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral Church of St. Luke, 130 North Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guardian Care Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Orlando, FL.
If tomorrow starts without
She will be sorely missed by family, friends and the community that she served. She gave love and you gave it back. The family says THANK YOU.
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Eddie Lee Marayne says
September 8, 2025 at 9:10 PMTo the family of Mrs. Mable Butler, My deepest condolences and sadness. Such a Matriarch. Blessings to ALL.
Jacqueline Barr says
September 9, 2025 at 6:58 AMMy prayers are with you the family of Commissioner Butler. The Commissioner was so inspirational to all of us who worked in the field of civil, equal and human rights. She will be missed.
Commissioner Samuel B. Ings, Retired, Orlando, and Mrs. June M. Ings says
September 9, 2025 at 6:11 PMIt is with deepest sympathies and our sincere condolences on the passing of our dearly beloved Commissioner Mable Butler. She was an inspiration and fighter for our communities of Orlando, Orange County and beyond. Her heart was full of compassion and caring for the people. To the family and friends of Commissioner Mable Butler, may God, the Father Almighty, bless and comfort you with beauty for ashes. And, may He bless you with the oil of joy for mourning. And, may He bless you with His garment of praise for your spirit of heaviness..
Bryan McKeon says
September 10, 2025 at 10:47 AMGrowing up in Pine Hills as a child, I remember hearing Mable Butler’s name many times in conversations my parents & other adults had. Everything was positive. She was a true servant to the people of Orlando. For the last few years, I had the privilege of being her service advisor for her vehicle. She would always light up spirits of the employees at the dealership when she arrived with with a hug followed by freshly backed pistachio, german chocolate, or red velvet cake for me to share with everyone. She was more like a second mom than she was a customer.
It is with deepest sympathy that I say she will be missed by all. If all public servants served from the heart as she did, there would be nothing this world could not accomplish. To the family & friends of Commisioner Mable Butler, may the Lord give you the comfort needed during this difficult time.
I know she is looking down on us all with arms wide open just waiting for that next hug.
Anonymous says
September 11, 2025 at 6:57 PMTo The Family of
Commissioner Mable Butler:
I know you are heartbroken at the passing of your family matriarch, and I deeply share your bereavement.
I know Comiss (as some of us affectionately sometimes called her at Orange County government), was a mother figure (some times with her tough love style-that we needed), and mentor to many of us at OC, government, especially to myself. She was instrumental in the promotion to leadership and executive positions for many in OC Government (especially African American employees, like myself).. Com. Butler was a fierce advocate for the betterment of the communities and residents of County Commission District 6, and the overall Orange County constituency.. Of course there are a multitude of other positives that could be said about the good life’s work of Com Butler that’s not included here.
But I will always cherish my many interactions with Com Butler, including the very last one at her church this past May in the Celebration of Her 98th Birthday.
My prayers are with you all The Family, but rest assured Com Butler is at peace with The Lord in her Heavenly Home🙏🏾
(Melvin Pittman, Retired&Former Dir OC Community and Environmental Services Dept)
Jessica E. Butler says
September 16, 2025 at 7:13 PMThis distinguished member of our community will be missed among family, friends, colleagues and residents of the Washington Shores district and surrounding area. She leaves a legacy of educational excellence, safe neighborhoods and healthy starts for impoverished, low-income and working class professionals. Despite her power of nomenclature, she took pride in everyday needs that created lasting impressions of her character as a spouse, mother, politician and pioneer. And she will always be remembered for one the greatest entertainment venues in HBCU history. Servant well done!
Janice Parker Watson says
September 16, 2025 at 8:29 PMSincere condolences to the family of Commissioner Mable Butler, the multitude of friends and the entire community she lifted up during her many years of public service in Washington Shores, the City of Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Along with my Parker family and classmates of her late and beloved son Ricardo Flagler, of the Jones High School Class of 1969, we mourn with you while celebrating a long and productive life. May we all strive to emulate her love through service to others.
Dot Newsome says
September 19, 2025 at 8:24 PMThe Newsome family send our condolence to the Butler family keeping the family in prayer she will be truly be miss Ms Butler always find a way to help other We thank you for all you done.,
Carolyn and Mario Chatman says
September 20, 2025 at 2:53 AMOur thoughts and prayers are for God to comfort the family of Commissioner Mable Butler. Thank you for sharing your mother with us. She will be miss by us and so many friends throughout both the City of Orlando, Orange County, Florida, and all over this nation as well.
It is with heartfelt sadness that we express our condolences. Also, it is with gratitude that we express our love and appreciation for all the time Commissioner Butler shared with us. Lastly, she was a giant in her community spreading love, cheers, humor, laughter, smiles, charm, and advice to everyone she touched. Commissioner Mable Butler was truly an inspiration.
Charles “Count” Barnes says
September 20, 2025 at 2:06 PMA Final Love Note to
Mom , Mable Butler
Matthew 22 : 39 – “ Thou shalt Love thy Neighbor as Thyself “ . This is the theme of your glorious life. In 1969, the first time I heard your high pitch voice you were moving your son Ricardo into his first dormitory room at Bethune-Cookman.. You introduced yourself and told me to call you Mom. He and I became friends, teammates and roommates. As Wildcat Quarterback, I delivered his first touchdown pass and you Cheered !!
In 1973, l moved to Orlando and reunited with roommate Ricardo and became a part of the Butler/Flagler family. Your help was essential as l began my career with City of Orlando, then State of Florida. But, my love for broadcasting won and I became a popular radio & television announcer. You called me to help with your re-election campaign for City Commission and I proudly wrote and produced “The Champion Fighter” radio commercial that had all of Central Florida talking and of course you won again.!
Dr. Oswald Bronson, President of Bethune-Cookman recruited me to become Director of Public Relations and Marketing in 1981 and I was there for a decade but, I never unplugged from you and my Orlando family. Thus our constant communication and eventual collaboration on securing the Florida Classic began in the mid 80’s even if it took about a decade We Got IT and it’s in Orlando to stay!
With your help l started Barnes Services and one of my first clients was the City of Orlando. By now it is 1990 and I am back in Orlando to stay and you are kicking off your campaign to become the first Black Orange CountyCommissioner in a newly created District 6. Again I heard you say “Count, put on your thinking cap.. We got to work hard to win this seat” Of course You were victorious with the help of so many who knew you would make things better for us all.
My business had it’s ups and downs and your first year or so at Orange County was not moving at your preferred pace. So,. You asked me to come manage your district 6 office and the improvements were noticeable. Seniors were included in the staff part time and from my days of work with college students I knew to add a couple of college interns. We really got a lot of work done from 1992-1996. God led me to restart Barnes Services and I ventured into the Environmental and Disaster Recovery fields and have provided Government services on the municipal, state and national levels.
There is no doubt in my mind , Mom, Mable Butler has influenced my Personal and Professional development and most of all You Gave Me Love!
God Rest Your Soul in Power and Peace!
Cathleen Franklin says
September 20, 2025 at 3:17 PMThe Franklin family would like to extend their deepest condolences to the family of Mrs. Mable Butler, Praying the Lord’s comfort and peace upon you in this difficult time.
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