Iva Jean Butler

Iva Jean Butler, 65, of Maryville, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Blount Memorial Hospital. Iva recently retired after nearly 45 years of service at The Daily Times with an iconic career as a reporter and photographer. She was one of the longest-serving employees in Times' history and second longest newsroom employee. Iva had a passion for her community and served it for many years with her stories and photographs. She covered the cities of Alcoa and Maryville, in addition to coordinating coverage of Friendsville, Greenback, Louisville, Rockford and Townsend at the time of her retirement. Those with whom she interacted in her illustrious career referred to her as "a bulldog with a bone," "Icon," "True Professional," and "Trailblazer." She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Geneva and Walter Butler; grandparents, Isaac Edmondson and Lillie Hayes Garland; aunt, Marie Rogers; and uncles, Otha and Garfield Butler. Survivors include uncles, Clifford Butler and Pearson Butler; and cousin, Gary Rogers, all of Maryville; and the entire staff of The Daily Times. Funeral service will be 7 p.m. Saturday at Smith Trinity Chapel. Interment will be 1 p.m. Sunday at Carpenters Campground Cemetery, with the Rev. Rex Everett officiating. Receiving of friends will be 5-7 p.m. Saturday at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Appalachian Bear Rescue, P.O. Box 364, Townsend, TN 37882, or Friends of the Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764-7660. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Iva Jean Butler please visit our Sympathy Store.