July 12, 2022, 88, Goldsboro –

Eleanor Gay Herring Butner Brown, 88, passed peacefully in her home on July 12, 2022. Born in Duplin County on July 30, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Winnie Herring.

Gay was a member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Goldsboro.

She was a former Miss North Carolina and went on to Chicago as first runner up Miss American 1950-1951. She remained active in women’s fashion and beauty by operating her own charm school in Morehead City, NC. She was very much involved in training contestants and judging beauty pageants, as well as women’s fashion buyer and beauty consulate for Belk in Goldsboro. Gay was an active member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church and the J. Paul Edwards Sunday School Class.

Gay is survived by her sons, Rufus Butner, Henry Butner, Brent Butner and Sterling Butner; grandchildren, Sarah Butner Parks, Geri Butner, Rebekah Butner, Austin Butner; great-grandchildren, Hayleigh Heckman, Kristen Heckman and Taiz Butner; and sister, Dorothy Herring King. She also considered Marcella Spada as a grandchild as well.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Rufus Brown and Rufus E. Butner, Jr. and her sister, Betty Kay Herring.

A service to celebrate Gay’s life will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorials be given in her memory to 3HC Home Health & Hospice Care, 2402 Wayne Memorial Dr, Goldsboro, NC 27534 or St. Paul United Methodist Church, 206 E. Chestnut Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.