After a courageous battle with malignant melanoma, Lauren Leigh Butler Mann, 41, passed away in Kansas City, Kansas on August 19, 2025 at the age of 41. Visitation will be held at Lenexa Baptist Church on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 3:30 pm until 5:00 pm with the funeral service at 5:00 pm. A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at Evergreen Cemetery in Minco, Oklahoma with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the music ministry of Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kansas.
Lauren was born in Oklahoma City to Dr. Jim and Lawanda Butler. As a child, she relocated with her family from Oklahoma to Washington State and Texas, then eventually to Southaven, Mississippi where Lauren was a 2002 graduate of Southaven High School. After graduation, Lauren attended the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. She completed her degree in Managerial Finance with a minor in Vocal Performance in 2007. To further her education and complete her professional dreams, Lauren attended Oklahoma City University’s School of Law. In 2010, with her Doctor of Jurisprudence secured, she joined the workforce. Over the course of her successful career, she held positions with Martin, Leigh, Laws, and Fritzlen, P.C. and Millsap and Singer, LLC. Most recently, she was employed as an attorney with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City.
Lauren had many interests that brought her joy during the course of her life. She was passionate about fitness and exercise. Her circle of friends at the gym were motivation and encouragement for her during stressful seasons of work and treatment. Another favorite pastime was singing with her church choir and praise team. Lauren had a beautiful voice that she shared with her church family as she helped lead in worship on Sundays at Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kansas.
During the summer of 2021, Lauren was diagnosed with malignant melanoma after having a suspicious spot on her thigh removed. As a precaution, her oncologist recommended a monthly regimen of chemotherapy for twelve months. After the completion of therapy, she was able to ring the bell and enjoy more than three years of a cancer-free lifestyle. Lauren never wanted her diagnosis to be what defined her in life, and she quietly battled her cancer largely in private. In the early months of 2025, the melanoma returned with a vengeance, and it had already spread to other vital organs. With her liver, spleen, bones, and brain involved, a different but aggressive treatment plan was begun. After a scan in early July, Lauren learned that while some spots were shrinking, there were spots multiplying in her brain. The vicious and overly aggressive nature of her cancer shocked Lauren and her family and even surprised her experienced oncologist and radiologist. So much of Lauren’s determination and sometimes hardheaded approach to life carried her through the tough and dark days of chemo and radiation. She was able to complete nine of the ten prescribed treatments for whole head radiation before a debilitating seizure caused her to be admitted to the hospital. Until the seizure, Lauren had been able to carry on most of the daily tasks that made her life so complete and fulfilling. In her last conscious moments, Lauren was still determined to fight the cancer that was stealing her life. On August 19, Lauren was completely healed and is likely using her beautiful voice to glorify the Lord she can now see face to face.
Lauren is survived by her parents, Dr. Jim and Lawanda Butler of Newcastle, Oklahoma, her sisters Meredith Butler Drumwright (Greg) of Hernando, Mississippi, and Ashley Butler Hill (Keith), of Newcastle, Oklahoma, nephews Hayden Drumwright (Karlee) and Logan Drumwright of Hernando, Mississippi, nieces Allison Hill and Holly Hill of Newcastle, Oklahoma. Lauren was preceded in death by her grandparents Glen and Reba Butler and Wayne and Cora Pinkston, all of Oklahoma.