Mrs. Viola Outley Butler

Viola La’Vita Outley Butler was born to Parthenia and David Outley Sr. on March 26,1929 in Alief, Texas. In 1942, Viola moved to San Antonio with her sister, Dorothy, and cousin, Jessie Lee, because blacks were not allowed to go to school in Alief. Two years later, she moved to Houston, Texas to attend Jack Yates High School and graduated in 1948.

After graduating from Jack Yates High School, Viola enrolled into TSU for Nursing. She quickly decided that she wanted to become a police officer to help children. In 1965, Viola graduated from Durham College with her P.B.F Degree. In 1967, she joined the Sheriff's Department. During that time, through her own initiative, she earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science from HCC, as well as, an advanced certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Before joining the Department full-time, Viola served as the First Vice President of the Texas Peace Officers Association and a member of the Sheriff’s Reserves where she sponsored and supervised fifty children in the Junior Deputies Association. In 1969, Judge Wallace H. Miller demanded a “Black female Bailiff in his court.” Viola became the first Black female Bailiff in Harris County. As her career continued for the next 24 years, she proceeded to excel in her career. In 1991, she retired and began traveling with her favorite cousin, Jessie Lee and her husband, Lionel.

Viola joined Fifth Ward Missionary Baptist Church at a young age. She was a faithful member of the Nurse Aide Board and supported all church activities until her health declined. Her Christian life was as beautiful as the flowers that she loved so well, and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her.