Pastor Douglas Bedford Butcher

Pastor Douglas Bedford Butcher, 83, of Mount Airy, went home to be with his heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. He passed away peacefully at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson.

Pastor Butcher was born August 31, 1942, in Surry County, to the late Clarence and Tilda Ann Money Butcher. He proudly served his country in the United States Army National Guard. Called into the ministry, he faithfully pastored numerous Baptist churches throughout the area, including Laurel Bluff Baptist Church, and was the founding pastor of Beacon of Hope.

Douglas was a loving husband and a devoted father and “Papa.” He never met a stranger and had a remarkable gift for making others laugh. His warm spirit, quick wit, and genuine kindness brought smiles to countless faces throughout his life.

He leaves to cherish his memory three sons, Wayne Butcher (Rhonda), Eddie Butcher (Tish), and Mikle Butcher (Kathy); six grandchildren, Stacey Shelton (Jeffrey), Tony Butcher (Stacy), Nicole Melton (Chuck), Daniel Thompson, Samuel Thompson, and Gracie Butcher; five great-grandchildren, Clay Butcher, Emma Butcher, Owen Butcher, Carter Butcher, and Dominick Melton; a sister, Patricia Ann Butcher; a brother, Arthur Lewis Heller; and his special friends, Herbert and Tina Conner.

In addition to his parents, Pastor Butcher was preceded in death by his wife, Annette Hazel Conner Butcher; two sisters, Judith Jones and Frances Hatcher; and two brothers, Bill Butcher and Clarence “Buck” Butcher.

A graveside service will be held Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 2:00 PM at New Hope Community Church Cemetery, located at 1863 Clark House Farm Road in Stuart, VA. The service will be conducted by Pastor Mark Collins, and military honors will be conducted by the Patrick County VFW Memorial Honor Guard. No formal visitation will be held.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Central Continuing Care and Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for the exceptional love, care, and compassion shown to Pastor Butcher during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017; or the Activities Center at Central Continuing Care, 1287 Newsome Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030.

Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.