Alice Butler Lomax

ALICE JEANETTE BUTLER LOMAX

February 12, 1954 – February 14, 2026

Alice Jeanette Butler Lomax, 72, of Surry, Virginia, transitioned from this life on February 14,2026, Valentine’s Day, a day of love that could not have been more fitting for a woman whose heart overflowed with devotion for her family.

Born to Willie and Lucy W. Butler on February 12, 1954, Alice was a woman of extraordinary strength, unwavering faith, and unconditional love for those she held dear. Alice grew up on farms in Carrollton and Surry, Virginia, owned by her father, Willie Butler Jr., where she developed a deep appreciation for the land, animals, and the values of hard work and resilience that would define her life. A graduate of St. Paul’s College in 1975, she proudly served her country in the Air Force Reserve and dedicated many years to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher in Surry and in Smithfield, Virginia.

A true fighter, Alice was a 35-year leukemia survivor. In the late 1990s, she received alife-saving bone marrow transplant from her brother, Samuel, which gave her decades more to cherish with her loved ones. After many years her body began to reject the bone marrow which led to, severe COPD ( Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) , and congestive heart failure in her later years. Alice never stopped fighting with grace and courage. Her smile and the way she carried herself touched everyone she met, from all walks of life. There was an angelic presence about Alice and a light that drew people in and left them changed.

In the early 1980s, Alice met the love of her life, Anthony Lomax, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. From that moment on, they were inseparable. Their love was rare — the once-in-a-lifetime kind — and they were devoted to one another for over 40 years until Anthony’s sudden passing in 2021. Together they moved to New Jersey and later to Marietta, Georgia in 1985 when Anthony’s career with IBM brought them south. Alice and Anthony shared a deep love for jazz and soulful music, attending jazz festivals together and building a treasured and building a treasured collection of vinyl records and 45s that filled their home with melody and memory .

Alice was a devoted Christian woman whose faith was the foundation of her life. She was an active member of Mount Nebo Baptist Church in Surry, Virginia, and Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Roswell, Georgia, where she worshiped with joy and served with love. Above all, Alice’s love for her family was unmeasurable. She cherished her role as a mother and chose with her whole heart to adopt both of her daughters, pouring into them the depth of her love, wisdom, and strength. Her eldest daughter, Alexandra, served our country with honor as a United States Marine lance corporal until she was honorably discharged. Her youngest daughter, Kareen, is a Grammy-nominated, platinum artist, songwriter, and musician who received the Abe Olman Scholarship from the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2022. Alice’s pride in her daughters was unshakeable, and the women they became are a testament to the love and strength she poured into them. It seems only right that she would leave this world on Valentine’s It seems only right that she would leave this world on Valentine’s Day, a final testament to the love that defined her life.

Alice was preceded in death by her faithful parents, father, Willie Butler Jr. (2022); and mother, Lucy W. Butler (2025), her beloved husband, Anthony Lomax (2021); her cherished daughter, Alexandra Jasmine Lomax (2020).

She is survived by her youngest daughter, Naji Kareen Lomax; her brothers, Willie Joseph Butler, III, Samuel Durand Butler ( Michelle ) ; Nancy Sunday Lomax ( sister in law ) ; her niece and nephews Sam Butler, Shamar Butler and Sanai Butler, and her nieces Jenaya Branch, Alexis Chamberlain, two aunts, Aunt “Liz” Elizabeth Savage and Aunt “Jean” Marian Jean Johnson and a host of family and friends who will forever carry her memory in their hearts.

Viewing will take place on Thursday, February 26, 2026 from 4-7 pm at Shivers Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am Friday, February 27, 2026, at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, 5738 Colonial Trail East, Surry, VA 23883.  Interment will follow the service in Mt. Nebo Church Cemetery, Mt Ray Drive, Surry, VA 23883. Please keep the Butler and Lomax family in your thoughts and prayers.