Mother Bernice Sinkler Butler was born to the late Deacon David Sinkler and Mother Willie Ora Sinkler on October 18, 1934, at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. She was the eldest of five daughters and two sons born to their union.

She received her early education in Brooklyn NY, graduating from PS 125, Junior High School 84, and Thomas Jefferson High School. After high school, Mother Bernice Butler worked as an Operating Room Technician Nurse.  She was licensed as Practical Nurse(LPN) at the BOCES School and worked briefly as a paramedic.  

Raised in a Christian home, she was taught the necessity of being born again. She accepted Christ  as her personal savior at St. Matthew’s Fire Baptized Holiness Church during a Sunday school revival conducted by Evangelist Lorraine Kelly; this marked the beginning of her journey of Discipline, Christian Training, and Spiritual Development.

Mother Butler served faithfully in several capacities under various pastors. She was the church musician and sang for years with her sisters.

She married the late Reverend George E. Butler, and together they formed a blended family that included his son, Kevin, whom she cherished as her own.  To this union were born seven sons and one daughter.

Alongside her role as a devoted wife and mother, she pursued a meaningful career that was diverse and impactful. She was employed as a nursing assistant, educational assistant, operating room technician, licensed practical nurse, paramedic, and  printing technician for The Hempstead School District. She retired as a New York State licensed child care provider in June 1998, following a serious illness. Over her career, she received several awards for excellence in service, including a certificate of recognition for 17 years of dedicated infant care, presented by the mayor of the Village of Hempstead, Mayor James L. Garner.

In 1961, she became an active and faithful member of Mount Sinai Cathedral Church of God in Christ under the late Bishop Clarence L. Sexton, Sr. In 1965, she and her family moved to Newburgh, New York, where they served in ministry at Best Temple Church of God in Christ under Superintendent James L. Best. In July 1972, she returned to Brooklyn and reinstated her membership at Mount Sinai Cathedral, where she served diligently on several committees.

In August 1980, she obeyed the call of God to preach and teach the Gospel. Her first message was titled “Delight Thyself in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4). To grow as a disciple of Christ, She attended the O.M. Kelly Bible Institute in Freeport NY, graduating on the Dean’s List in 1985.

Her ministry assignments included serving at The Fountain of Life Church under Bishop Norman H. Lyons, II, and later at The Gospel Church in Freeport NY, then Hicksville, under the leadership of her son, Pastor Darren E. Butler Sr. (2000–2007). In late 2007, she became a member of Sheep Gate Assembly in Baldwin, New York, under Pastors Joe and Elaine Cedzich.  From 2009 until 2016, Mother Butler was a devoted member of New Life Christian Center, located in the heart of the Village of Hempstead, under the leadership of Apostle Katherine Corbett. After this season of faithful service, she felt led to unite with Kingdom Family Ministry in 2016, under the leadership of Bishop Fabian E. Williams I, where she remained a committed member until she was no longer able to physically attend.

In January 2003, Mother Butler was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer that had metastasized. Doctors gave her only a few months to live. Her son, who was her pastor at the time, never revealed the prognosis, only encouraging her to “hold on to Psalm 112:7.”

Mother Butler, her children, her siblings, family and friends began to believe God for her healing.  She experienced God’s sustaining and healing power through the processes which were many.

Through her many illnesses, Mother Butler experienced profound spiritual growth. She endured each trial with joy, standing firmly on God’s Word and resting in the deep peace she was taught about as a child.”

Throughout her life, Mother Butler served faithfully in numerous capacities, including:

Mother Butler loved to listen to music and worship and praise God. She gave Him glory for her faithfulness, for allowing her to know Him, and for entrusting her with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She often testified: “I shall not die but live and declare the works of the Lord.(Psalm 118:17)

On August 19, 2025, at 1:14 a.m., as music played softly and her daughter sat by her side, Mother Bernice Butler entered into eternal rest and went home to be with the Lord.”  

Preceding her in death are her parents, Deacon David Sinkler and Mother Willie Ora Sinkler; her brothers, David, Jr. and James Sinkler; her sister, Norma Elizabeth Sinkler, and her nephew/godson, William Pettaway.

She leaves to celebrate her memory: her children: Kevin Butler (Carmen), Darren E. Butler, Sr.(Patricia), George E. Butler, Arthur F. Butler(Ann-Marie), David A. Butler(Elizabeth),Gene T. Butler, Michael C.D. Butler(Marie), and Bernice M. S. Butler.; her twenty-eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren(too many to name); her sisters: Genora Pettaway, Eva Woodside, Marva Bouttry (Willie), and Mildred Woods; her bff: Rosella Woody; her special daughter: Valencia Strohman; her Godchildren: Lynn R. Sexton, Vivian Singletary, Jeffrey Woods, Sharon Pettaway, Amber McCullen, Christine Johnson, Alexandria Albergottie, and Brandon Butler; Coreena & Keith Neumire, Sister Edith Roland, Nathaniel Colon and several other spiritual sons and daughters; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Her legacy of faith, service, and love for God will continue to inspire all who knew her.