My sweet, sweet grandson,
It’s inconceivable that it’s been a year since your walked Home with Jesus.
It is so good to know that no disease can ever harm you again.
It is so hard to internalize that you will never walk thru our kitchen door again, never wash another vehicle in our driveway, never sit outside with Papaw and have one of your talks.
There are so many memories of you in my mind. I pray I never forget a single one.
I pray I never lose the recordings of your young voice on my home phone recorder.
I pray we live out your legacy every single day and make you proud.
Grateful that even tho I can’t hold you close, that God can, and is.
Until we meet again, I’ll keep the tea sweet and a few chocolates hid.
I love you to Heaven and back.
I hope you went to Heaven knowing just how much.
Love,
Neenie

Dear Josh,
Tomorrow will be our 1st Easter without you with us.
I know you are free from pain and walking straight and tall, as you marvel at The Lamb of God.
We look forward to the day when we will see you again.
Until then, our beautiful memories of our times spent with you will remain fresh and cherished.
Love forever, Nene

I’m so honored to have been able to grow up by your side— endless late night Steak & Shake expeditions with us and my parents, uncomfortable yet fun road trips, swim lessons with the sea turtles in your pool, and Kipper the dog marathons. Even through the years, you and the girls were my church buddies from Abundant Life to Kids for Jesus and One Fire Ministry at Christian World Ministries, FL. The hand of God has always been moving over your life, Josh. I remember the kindness of your heart at a young age when you noticed how much I played your beloved Nintendo DS with the green stickers, you let me keep it (with all the games)!!! Or when I would get mad when you’d get the same exact cheeseburger order as me at McDonald’s, when we were little. You were always the mature mediator when I would be having little fights with friends. So many funny memories, I can’t even keep up! As a teenager, I witnessed your love for the Lord grow deeper, your willingness to do different ministries, and service for the little ones and the homeless. I would be shaken to my core every time I heard you pray, and prophesy over those you encountered, and our wonderful city and nation. The anointing of God flowed through you for all 18 years, and is still on the move. I still remember those encouraging moments of peace we shared during those last bible studies with you on FaceTime. The things I would do for another hug from you..But its like I’m given a hug every time I’m comforted in knowing that you received complete healing, in full. I won’t ever forget you buddy. Your life and your love for the Lord has given me so many songs to write and sing about, and lives are going to be changed. This is just the beginning.

Josh, I remember fondly running around Nana’s yard, swinging and eating clover, you were my favorite playmate. From you begging to go see the deer to hunting Easter eggs together, we always had a blast! I’m going to miss your smile and laugh the most. You have always made me the proudest big cousin. I love you my Joshie.

It has been our joy and blessing to be Joshua’s family. From holding you in our arms as a baby, playing with you as a toddler running around Nana’s yard, hunting Easter eggs, swinging and swimming, watching you ride bikes and then skateboard to driving your own truck! You grew into a Godly man that made us so proud. Your Faith and love
of Jesus and your family will be a legacy that will live on, we will cherish you in our hearts forever. Love, Aunt Penny, Uncle Dirk, and Cousin Faith.

I don’t know where to start, so I’ll say I love you first. I miss you so much, but each day that has passed, I’ve engulfed myself with the memories that we made as a family. In my head, all I can hear is your voice saying “aunt Manda”. I’ve heard it from the time you were that sweet little toddler prancing around in your t-shirt and diaper (when we could get you to keep them on) . Then when you’d beg for piggy back rides, and right on up to the Saturday before you rose to heaven , when you said it one last time , “aunt Manda can you rub my feet again, but this time with lotion cause mom said my legs are dry .” I would gladly rub your feet again if I could. I would hug you tight, and tell you again how very proud you made us all. You had a heart of Gold and I’m forever thankful for the many many prayers you lifted for Colby to get better. I’m thankful for all the lives you touched , for your never ending faith and courage . You held it to the very end. However, it was only just your beginning. You have entered the ultimate mansion. You are where we all long to be one fine day. I love you so big, you made me the most proud aunt ever ♥️

I’ve tried writing this each day, but no matter what I write, I can’t find the words. I wish I had the chance to know you better. Life passes by so quickly. I guess we always think there’s time. Because of you, I will make that time. I will remember how precious life is and to cherish each friendship. I remember so clear when you were just our “Baby Josh”. We were so close and although we have never lost touch I feel cheated. I know God has plan for you and one day we will have answers, but until then, know I will I’ve on your family and always be there if they need anything. Love you

What an honor to have been friends with you. Your bravery and kindness has been evident to all. You planted so many seeds of love on this earth as you honored your Lord and Savior. Those seeds will keep growing for many many years to come. I pray that every seed that you planted here will be brought into completion in each heart. I imagine you and the Lord walking together now. One day we will meet up with you again. Love you always Josh B Gosh.

This young man, whom We rocked on our chest, toted in and out of Abundant Life COG in a baby carrier, then held his hand thru the parking lot... who just had to run upstairs and sit with his Papaw while he ushered... who sang “I Cast All My Cares upon You” with me a thousand times in my van when little...
This young man who insisted he & Papaw wash every vehicle sitting in the yard almost every time he ever came over, who loved shoes - expensive tennis shoes and nice western boots...who kept them as clean as they came out of the box for months and years.. this kid who loved playing drums, playing basketball, watching football (especially the FL gators), who loved his mom’s meatloaf and any dessert on earth... this boy who never missed church because he loved it.. who participated with his whole heart in youth ministry, who drug every neighborhood kid and school friend he could to church from the time he was old enough to invite them.. this boy who always brought a backpack with an extra set of clothes and a “dry” pair of spit-shined tennis shoes to Neenie & Papaws when he came “just in case he needed them.. this boy who loved riding on the Walmart truck with his Papaw and who saw it as his “job” from the time he was first able to ride at 6yrs old.. our grandson who loved “destruction” ( His Word for it instead of “construction” ) equipment from a young age....our boy, turned young man who had been trying for several years to get his facial hair to grow.. who wanted to be a youth pastor and a realtor, who was making plans to upgrade the pickup we had given him right up to the text he sent his Papaw 2 days before he went to see Jesus about ordering fog lights for it.. our sweet, caring, kind, considerate, corn-hole playing, sweets and bread eating, hamburger-loving, sports watching, Christian music loving, sister-aggravating, administrator from birth.. was one of the most beautiful gifts God has ever given Paul & I.
Joshua genuinely loved. He prayed for everyone. With faith.
He was a dog lover, a friend to all, a help to anyone he could help whether it was putting my power chair on and off my car, raking the yard for friends, feeding the homeless with One Fire, who he loved with a passion, or befriending the least noticed person. He wanted his family to love each other and always be together. He would have to go to the bathroom 3 times if that’s what it took, to buy a few more minutes at our house. He loved video games, Tim Hawkins funny videos, and his Duck Dynasty, which got him thru many hard, pain-filled hours there thru the last days.
Joshua didn’t ever want to be the source of anyone’s pain so going thru the awfulness of cancer and knowing those who loved him was having to watch the scary and heartbreaking changes it was bringing to his physical body, his ability to live normally, and then seeing him not able to do anything for himself, was his worst pain.
Joshua NEVER lost faith that God was going to heal him.
And although it certainly wasn’t the healing we had begged Him to give our sweet Josh, God chose to promote him even before his elders.
Joshua is sitting at the feet of The Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the World, our soon-coming King. He is getting to know the grandfather he never got to know very well on Earth, the great granny (grandma) who fed him chocolate every time he saw her, and I’m sure our little Tina was clapping her heart out when he came thru those Gates.
Josh- there was only one you.
You loved all of your family with a passion to be envied; one we should all aspire to in your memory.
You will never leave us but will be indelibly with us until Eternity. Because we know that even tho the rest of our days here will be without your physical presence, that in your heart you always wanted to be nowhere except where your family was.
Hold the gates open, sweet boy... your family will be coming thru them one fine day and we will laugh with your quiet chuckle once again.
Love you and miss you more than you will ever know.
Nene (his spelling of it) and Papaw

I will always remember Joshua as the sweet little bundle of joy that I held in my arms and rocked! He always had a beautiful smile for me! I am so proud of the great young man of God he became!!  Joshua you are always going to be in my heart!! Until we see each other again rest in Gods arms and love!!!!

Josh was the youngest of 2 nephews, he was my lil (tall》 buddy. Josh loved Jesus,loved to just sit and talk. He was my best cornhole buddy. Josh loved helping, everyone he could. Aunt Jessica & I love & miss him
'

Joshua M Butler 18 years old of Lakeland Fl, born May 1,2002 received into the arms of Jesus March 9, 2021. Joshua was a graduate of Victory Christian Academy. He played on the Jv and Varsity basketball team, ran Cross Country, a boy scout, a student of Covenant University and member of The Covenant Center serving as assistant sound tech. Joshua worked at Goal Seekers at Highland Park Church as a youth counselor with the goal to attend Southeastern University to become a youth pastor. He was also involved in ministry with One Fire Youth feeding the homeless and local nursing home ministries. Joshua’s lived out his favorite verse Philippians 4:13 especially during his battle with cancer. He ran to the Father and encouraged others to do the same. Joshua was strong, courageous, and committed through the end encouraging others to join with him. He had a contagious smile and warm heart and always made sure no one felt left behind. Proceeded in death by Ralph Repard his Grandfather. Survived by his parents Mark and Marcia Butler. His sisters Julianne and Sarah Butler. Grandmother Gloria Repard. Grandpa Paul Flynn and Grandmother Connie Flynn as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.