"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."

Psalm 121:1-2

On Sunday, March 7, 2021, "The eyes of the Lord were on Bessie and He delivered her out of all of her afflictions!"(Psalms 34: 15 and 17)

Bessie West Butler, 82, was born in Roanoke, Louisiana to the union of Lovenia Malveaux West and Hamuel "Buddy" West on March 12, 1937. She was educated in the schools of Jennings, Louisiana, graduating in 1957. Following her graduation, she matriculated at Grambling College, now called Grambling State University. She was the first in the family to go to college. It was at Grambling, where she met the love of her life, Lester J. Butler. They became the proud parents of four children: Reverend Gregory Butler (Cassandra) of Jackson, Mississippi; Kevin Butler (Terri Lynn) of Lafayette, Louisiana;  Vanessa B. Stevens (Preston) of Abbeville, Louisiana, and James Butler of Alexandria, LA. Bessie was a faithful member of Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend G. C. Chaney and later Reverend Gerald Perkins until her illness made it impossible for her to attend services. While attending Union, she was an active participant, serving as a choir member, Sunday school teacher, and president of the Senior Mission.

Bessie was a firm believer in education, and after college, she taught in the Jeff Davis Parish school system for more than 30 years where she received accolades for her expertise in the classroom. Following her retirement, she served as a substitute teacher for more than five years. She also made sure that all three of her children received a college education. In addition, she continued her education at McNeese State University, where she obtained her Master's Degree. Above all, Bessie loved to help her family, her church, and her community.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her children, Gregory, Kevin, James, and Vanessa and their spouses; grandchildren, Greg Jr., David, Allison, D'Andre, Tierra, Rachelle, Javon, Ashley, and Autumn; nine great-grandchildren; her sisters, Viola Victor of Lake Charles, LA and Evelyn Julian of Crowley, LA, and her brother Milton West (Brenda) of Lake Charles; sister-in-law Annie West of Houston, TX; one Aunt, Rose Simon of Beaumont, Texas; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Lester; her sisters Cora McZeal, and Lillie Smith; her brothers, Reverend Hilton West, and John West; her aunts and uncles.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 13, 2021, at Union Baptist Church, 1014 S. Main St., Jennings, LA.  Reverend Gerald W. Perkins, Sr. will officiate.  Visiting will be in the church from 10:00 am until the time of the funeral.  Burial will follow in Perkins Cemetery under the direction of Semien-Lewis Mortuary of Jennings.