Valerie Smith-Butler

Valerie Jean Smith-Butler
October 28, 1962 | July 23, 2025

Valerie Jean Smith-Butler entered this world on Sunday, October 28, 1962, the first born to Martin and Dorothy J. Smith.  Val, as she was affectionately called, attended and was educated at Cathedral Academy and graduated from Bishop Magin High School in June 1981.  Val furthered her education at the State University of New York at Schenectady and later began a career at Key Bank of Albany, TJ Max, Price Chopper Supermarkets, office manager at Drake Manor and Idlewild Terrace, and the New York State Assembly, which she retired February 21, 2025, as Deputy Director of Human Resources.

At an early age, Val accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior and was baptized at the Metropolitan NTM Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. John B. Holmes.  Val participated in every facet of youth ministry at Metropolitan, youth choir, Drake Chorus, food pantry coordinator, youth director and senior citizens coordinator.  Val was active in the Young People’s Departments of Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association, Central Hudson Baptist Association and Empire Baptist Missionary Convention.  

In later years, Val was committed to assuring that other young people had the same life enriching experiences as she did in the Kingdom of God.  For many years, she served as youth supervisor and took great pride in bringing young people to participate in Empire Convention’s Youth Conference.  In 2023, wanted to be close to her family, joined the Sweet Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church of Albany, under the Pastorate of her brother, whom she fondly called, “Brother Elg.”  It was never a secret about her relationship with her Savior.  Val indeed was a praiser.

In 1997, Val was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Tyrone Butler.  From this union, the absolute joy of her life came forth, Jasmin and Preston.  To know Val, was to know the love she encompassed for her “Heartbeats.”  The highlight of Val’s life was preparing for the arrival of her first grandchild, expected September 2025.  She was a loving mother, caring, selfless, giving and a mother to her own and many more

On the morning of July 23, 2025, in a still and peaceful manner, Val answered the call of God, and as sweetly as she lived, transitioned into the arms of Jesus Christ.  In addition to her loving parents, Val was predeceased by her sister, Vonda and her brother, Markin.

Celebrating her life, love and great legacy are, her loving children, Jasmin and Preston Butler, her brother cousins, Ronnie and Milton (Sonny) McCovey, Lancier D. Taylor, her brother and Pastor Elgin Joseph Taylor, Sr. her beloved cousin, Roseanne Tucker, a host of other relatives and many, many friends. 

 
We will meet you in the morning…

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