Debra Y. Butts

Debra Yvonne (Russell) Butts, 68, of New Palestine, passed away on April 30, 2026. Born on August 10, 1957, Debby lived a life defined not by titles or timelines, but by the way she showed up for people. She was, at her core, a caregiver, though that word hardly feels big enough. She didn’t just care for others. She carried them, often quietly, often without recognition, and always with intention.

Debby had a rare gift. She remembered people, not just their names, but their stories, their struggles, and their joys. She made people feel seen in a way that is hard to put into words and even harder to replace. Whether through a thoughtful conversation, a perfectly timed check-in, or one of the many names on her well-worn prayer list, she made it known that you mattered to her. If you were on her list, you were never forgotten.

She was funny, stubborn in all the right ways, and incredibly brilliant. A natural thinker and problem solver, Debby spent her professional life helping others navigate complexity. She worked at Community Hospital before beginning a new chapter at Eli Lilly and Company in 2002, where she continued to grow her career until retirement. But retirement didn’t slow her down. She stepped into consulting, serving as a thought partner and guide for organizations navigating change, always bringing clarity, wisdom, and care.

Her faith in God was steady and personal. Those close to her knew she kept a long and intentional prayer list, always lifting others up, often before herself. She gave generously of her time and heart, supporting local charities she believed in and building deep connections with friends and neighbors who became like family.

Debby also knew how to enjoy life. She was always up for an adventure, especially when it meant time in Fort Myers Beach, a place she loved and returned to whenever she could. Whether near or far, she brought the same energy, present, engaged, and fully invested in the people around her.

She loved her family fiercely. Her husband, Jesse Butts III, was her partner and love of her life since their marriage in June of 1981. Her son, Jesse Butts IV (Jennifer), was the center of her world, a love she carried with her in everything she did. Her grandchildren, Alex Isaac (Olivia), Sam Isaac, and Isabel Trierweiler (Jay), along with her nine great-grandchildren, brought her immense pride and joy.

Debby is also survived by her brother, Randy Russell. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Elizabeth Russell, and her brother, Timothy Russell.

If you knew Debby, you likely heard her say, “My heart is full.” It was more than a phrase. It was how she lived, full of love, full of gratitude, and full of the people she held so close.

Honoring her wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. A celebration of life will be held at her home in the coming weeks.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Debby are encouraged to make a donation to a local charity of their choice, something meaningful and thoughtful, just as she would have done.

Her legacy is not just in what she did, but in how she made others feel. That was her gift, and it will carry on in all of us.