Charlene Butler Whitehead

Charlene Butler Whitehead 1938-2023
On June 18, 2023 our beloved “Clogging Grandmother “left this earth to dance again with her eternal sweetheart in heaven.  She lost her battle with pancreatic cancer with courage and grace. She was 84 years old. Charlene was born on August 22, 1938 to Gerald Leander Butler and Ella Ethel Birrell.  She had an idyllic childhood growing up in the Old Mill area playing with multiple cousins.  At the tender age of six years old she lost her father. This profoundly affected her the rest of her life.  Charlene always loved her childhood roots, being raised in the area that used to be called “Butlerville” but has since changed to Cottonwood Heights, she would return to the area she was raised in eventually and love it even more.  Charlene attended Granite High School where she was active in school activities and became a cheerleader.  She was also a Senior Prom attendant and spoke at the graduation ceremonies in 1956.  Later that same year she married Rodney Butterfield, together they had three children.  They later divorced.  She attended Darrell and Joseph’s College of Beauty and became a licensed beautician.  In 1969 she married the “love of her life” Jerry Whitehead and became a stepmom to Geraldine, Richard and Corrine.  Jerry came from a large family who were very close; they got together monthly for family home evenings and other occasions.  She loved being a part of such a loving family who treated her with such kindness.  Charlene was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in many callings throughout her life.  She served as Relief Society President, Relief Society Counselor, Young Women’s President, Primary Counselor, and Stake Relief Society Counselor. She enjoyed being a guide at the Conference Center and Temple Square.  She served as a temple worker at the Jordan River Temple, as a Missionary for the Drug and Alcohol Program and as a Docent at the Church History and Art Museum on Temple Square.  She was a Weight Watcher Leader for several years and also sold Mary Kay Cosmetics.   Her passion in life after her family was definitely clogging.  She clogged with the “Clogging Grandmothers” for 35 years performing countless times at The Festival of Trees, the Dickens Festival, County Fairs, Care Centers and even the 2002 Winter Olympics.   As a freelance writer she self-published three non-fiction books, wrote two manuscripts for novels, had several articles in different publications and was able to interview celebrities such a Robert Goulet, Debbie Reynolds and Dolly Parton among others.  Charlene also had a love of beauty pageants and competed in the Mrs. Utah and Mrs. Senior Utah pageant as well as the Mother-Daughter Pageant with her daughter Terri.  Throughout the years Charlene and Jerry were able to travel extensively and went to many exotic destinations.   Some of her favorites were Israel, China, the Philippines and Europe as well as many cruises and excursions.  More than anything Charlene loved her family.  Nothing brought more joy to her than being surrounded by them.  She was an avid supporter of all the activities her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in.  She attended countless baseball, basketball, softball, soccer and football games as well as music programs, drill team competitions, dance reviews, choir performances, plays etc. She was always eager to babysit and did that on a regular basis until she was in her eighties.
She is survived by her children Terri (Don) Buck, Scott (Julie) Butterfield, Geraldine “Geri” Miller, Richard (Pam) Whitehead and Corrine Turton.  Many sisters and brothers in law, many adored grandchildren and many, many great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by parents, husband Jerry Whitehead, brother Lee Butler, daughter Debby Mackay, son-in-law Mike Miller and grandson Jason Potter.  The family would like to thank Harmony Hospice for the A TEAM.  We could not have done it without you and the dignity and love you showed our precious mother.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 28, at 12:00 PM. Located at 6030 S. Prairie View Drive, Taylorsville UT 84129. A viewing will be held prior to the service, starting at 10:30 AM. There will also be an evening viewing on Tuesday, June 27, from 6-8 PM, at the Memorial Redwood Mortuary. Located at 6500 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan UT 84123.
Service Information
Viewing June 27, 2023 at 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Memorial Redwood Mortuary





Viewing June 28, 2023 at 10:30 AM
6030 S. Prairie View Drive, Taylorsville, UT





Funeral Service
June 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM
6030 S. Prairie View Drive, Taylorsville, UT