Karissa M. Butcher (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Karissa Michele Butcher was born December 5, 1981 in Lebanon, Missouri, to Steve and Lynne Michele Musice Long. She passed away in her home in Lebanon, Missouri, Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the age of forty-three years, seven months and fourteen days.
Karissa grew up in Lebanon and was a Lebanon High School graduate in 2000. While in high school she was active in the band and color guard. Following graduation, she continued her education at Missouri Southern where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She began her teaching career at Hillcrest School in Lebanon and transitioned to the Lebanon Middle School. She served as the Color Guard instructor for the Lebanon High School Band. Karissa also taught in the Camdenton School system and was currently teaching at Waynesville High School. While teaching, she continued her education at Missouri State University and earned her Master’s degree and was working on her doctorate degree at Evangel University.
Karissa loved learning and sharing knowledge with her students. She was very dedicated to her profession and had a wonderful relationship with each of her students. Her students knew they could go to her and talk about anything and she would listen, give sound advice, and not judge.
Karissa recently had been awarded “Educator of the Year” at Waynesville High School. She was so proud of this recognition and was well respected in her work as a teacher.
Karissa is preceded in death by her son, Daxen Michael Jaynes, on February 5, 2025.
She is survived by her husband, Nathan Butcher; her children, Jadzia Jaynes and Torias Jaynes, both of Lebanon, Missouri; her step-children, Ashtyn Butcher and Adam Butcher, both of Lebanon, Missouri; her mother, Lynne Holt and her husband David of Lebanon, Missouri; her father, Steve Long and his wife Carla of Hartville, Missouri; her grandmother, Sandy Musice and her grandfather, Jerry Musice and his wife Debbie, both of Lebanon, Missouri; her sister, Ashton Lewis and her husband Brandon of Lebanon, Missouri; and two step-sisters, Candy Tyre and her husband Nick of Lebanon, Missouri and Mandy Long and her husband Shane of Willard, Missouri; and a host of friends who loved her very much.
Karissa was raised in the Catholic faith. In recent years she had attended First Baptist Church in Lebanon and was a member there. She loved God with all her heart and would share her faith with others.
She loved her dogs and cats. Karissa also liked roller coasters. Most of all, she loved her family and her students.
Words cannot adequately express the impact she has had on the lives of her family and so many others. Her warmth, kindness, and unwavering generosity leave an indelible mark on the lives of all who knew her. Her absence will be deeply felt by her family, friends, and the many people she touched throughout her life.
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