Kellye Butler Perez

Kellye Butler Perez, 53, of Beaumont, passed away at home on Thursday, September 16, 2021, after a courageous, yet short battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. She was born on April 1, 1968, in Beaumont, to Ann and Wilbur Butler. Her family members had fun with the fact she was born on April Fools’ Day and celebrated it appropriately. In fact, some family members thought Ann and Wilbur were playing an April Fools’ joke on us, at first.

Following in her dad’s footsteps, Kellye was an insurance agent with R.O. Williams & Co. and then Braud, Vaughn & Williamson. Kellye was fabulous at her job and worked in the insurance industry for thirty years. She had connections all over the Beaumont area, and she did her best for her clients and the companies where she worked.

Kellye also enjoyed spending time at the lake house with her husband, other family members, and their friends. She was instrumental in planning and implementing of multiple annual celebrations for the Plum Ridge community. She supported this neighborhood in various ways and had many wonderful friends in the community.

Kellye had many interests, such as: event planning, biking, including participating in the MS 150 where she rode her bicycle from Houston to Austin in 2 days. She also enjoyed sailing, remodeling their houses, traveling, and was an incredible cook.

She was a graduate of the Leadership Beaumont program in 2002 and she continued to be active in the program. Kellye was on the steering committee in 2003, 2012 and 2013, was a Beaumont Chamber Foundation Board Member from 2010-2015, on the Spice of the Season Committee from 2005-2011, and involved with the Youth Leadership group from 2004-2014.

Kellye was outgoing and generous to her family and friends. Most of her generosity was done without bringing attention to herself as she gave to many non-profits, as well as working behind the scenes to help improve the lives of friends and strangers alike. She was a hard worker and found time to have fun and enjoy life. Her smile was lovely, and her laugh was contagious.

She is survived by her husband, David Perez, of Beaumont; four step-children and six grandchildren all from the Lubbock area, Dustin Perez and his wife, Abby and their children, Gabby Jurgensen, and Andrew and Aaron Perez; Ashley Salazar and her husband, Daniel; Eric Perez and his wife, Heather and their children, Elyse and Lyla; and Cortney Harris and her husband, Gabriel and their children, Baron and Olivia; her mother, Ann Butler, of Beaumont; her sister, Stacy Smith and husband, Kyle, of Nacogdoches and their children, Brett and his wife, Savannah, of Jefferson; Jake, Trey, and Will, of Nacogdoches; her brother, Beau Butler and his son, Bryce Butler; and Amy, of Fredericksburg; and her aunts and uncles, Nancy Glass of, Austin; Betty Glass and her husband, Charles Gray, of Houston; Nick Hatch, of Houston; and her brothers-in-law and their spouses, Richard Perez of Fort Worth; Jesse Perez, of Carlsbad, New Mexico; Pete Perez; and Ronnie Perez, of Sundown; and sisters-in-law and their spouses, Delia Perez of Lubbock, Norma Perez, and Yolanda Perez of Sundown.

She was preceded in death by her father, Wilbur Butler and her brother-in-law, JR Perez.

Kellye was a caring wife, daughter, sister, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, niece, and friend. She was smart, gregarious, generous, and talented and will be greatly missed. We love you, Kellye. It is a comfort knowing that you are with Wilbur and your brother-in-law, JR Perez.

A memorial service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 25, 2021, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with her ennichment to follow at Garden Columbarium, Beaumont.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Some Other Place, P.O. Box 0843, Beaumont, Texas 77701; Julie Rogers Gift of Life, 2390 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, Texas 77706; Camp Niwana, 350 FM 256, Woodville, Texas 75979; or to any non-profit organization of your choice.

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