Val Demings
Birth Name: Valdez Venita Butler
Place of Birth: Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Date of Birth: March 12, 1957
Ethnicity: African-American, as well as at least 1/16th English
Val Demings is an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, she has served as Chief of the Orlando Police Department, from December 16, 2007 to June 1, 2011, and a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida, from January 3, 2017 to January 3, 2023.
Her father, James Leroy “Jimmy” Butler, worked in orange groves. Her mother, Elouise Lora (Woods), was a housekeeper.
She is married to Jerry Demings, who has been Sheriff of Orange County, Florida, from January 6, 2009 to December 4, 2018, and Mayor of Orange County, Florida, since December 4, 2018. The couple has three children.
Val’s paternal grandfather was Isham Samuel Butler (the son of Isham Butler and Melvina Bryant). Val’s grandfather Isham was born in Florida. Val’s great-grandfather Isham was the son of Dr. Samuel Isham Butler, a white slave owner, and of Mary Elizabeth Glaspy/Glasby, a black slave woman.
Val’s paternal grandfather was Isham Samuel Butler (the son of Isham Butler and Melvina Bryant). Val’s grandfather Isham was born in Florida. Val’s great-grandfather Isham was the son of Dr Samuel Isham Butler, a white slave owner, and Mary Elizabeth Glaspy/Glasby, a black slave woman.