Lara Sullivan Butler

Lara Michele Sullivan Butler passed unexpectedly in her ‘forever’ home in the early morning hours of September 14, 2024, at the age of 55.

Lara was born in Chicago, IL on December 08, 1968, and raised in Jackson, MS by her mother, Arlene M. Adams and father, Junius ‘Jay’ Adams with brother Junius ‘Jason’ Adams IV. She graduated from Murrah High School in 1987, then enrolled at Ole Miss and joined Kappa Kappa Gamma social sorority. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and English in 1991. She worked at Mississippi State Hospital before enrolling at Nova-Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where she was awarded a Masters of Science degree in Psychology in 1997. Her career as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor began in Florida and continued in North Carolina as a Licensed Professional Counselor in 2007. Lara loved her work as a therapist working with seniors at Inspirations Geriatric Outpatient Counseling Center in Statesville.

Lara was an avid scrapbooker and stamper. She enjoyed tasting different teas and sharing tea with others. She loved to decorate her forever home. She was passionate about sea turtles, reef fish, and manatees. Her favorite colors were green, pink, and yellow. She cheered on her university’s football team, the Ole Miss Rebels, and would fuss at the players for ‘not standing still’ for off sides or false start penalties!

Lara is forever cherished and loved by her husband, David, parents Arlene & Jay Adams of Tryon, and brother and sister-in-law Jason & Katie Adams of Asheville. She is also survived by an aunt, Carole Sullivan, and cousins, especially Jennifer, all of Illinois. Her brothers-in-law, John in Buxton, OR and Paul in Oceanside, CA and sister-in-law Carole and husband Rafael in Tucson, AZ miss her. Lara is also cherished by Gayle Smith of Mt Pleasant, Kim McCormick of Lexington, Brittany Martin of Tyro, Margaret Santoro of Charlotte, Peyton Hall of Lexington, Lori Miller of Lexington, Allison Pearson of Lexington, and Robin Schultz of Lexington.

Visitation and Celebration of Life will be at Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington, NC. Visitation will be 12:30-1:30pm followed by a Celebration of Life beginning at 2pm. Internment will be with husband David and dog Hazel, when their times come, at the Eternal Reefs project offshore of Topsail Island, NC.

Family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:

Bald Head Island Conservancy:

link below and note in the comment section  'In Memory of Lara Sullivan Butler’

https://bhic.org/ways-to-give/give-to-annual-fund/

OR

A check to Bald Head Island Conservancy with info in the Memo line that the gift is 'In Memory of Lara Sullivan Butler'

Bald Head Island Conservancy

PO Box 3109

BHI, NC. 28461

Your donation may help sea turtles swim over and around Lara which would make her very happy!