GILBERT, AZ —
Ruth C. Butts, 92, of Gilbert, Ariz., passed away at her home after a short illness on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013.
She was born on April 4, 1920, to Lon and Emma Chesnutt, in Holdenville, Okla. She attended Christian College in Columbia, Mo., and graduated from the University of Oklahoma, with a degree in elementary education.
In 1943, Ruth married Willard L. Butts, of Joplin, Mo.
She was a homemaker and they resided in Joplin for the next 30 years raising their family. Ruth was very active socially, playing in a number of Bridge clubs and was a member of the Women's Club, Ridpath and Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
In 1975, they relocated to Scotttsdale, Ariz. Before fully retiring, Ruth worked in retail sales at the Desert Dweller in Old Town Scottsdale, and Sakowitz department store at Fashion Square. She was a volunteer at the Gift Shop at Scottsdale Osborn Memorial Hospital for many years.
After Willard's death in 1983, she continued to reside in Scottsdale until 1992, when she moved back to Joplin to care for and be with extended family for the next 12 years. In 2004, she returned to Arizona, to be near her children, residing in Gilbert. Ruth was active in the P.E.O. Sisterhood in Missouri and Arizona for over 56 years and was an active member of the United Methodist Church when she resided in Holdenville, Joplin, Scottsdale, and Gilbert.
Ruth was the matriarch of the Chesnutt and Butts families for many years. She will be missed by her nieces and nephews and by her numerous friends and family members who appreciated her grace, sense of style, good cheer, common sense and love of entertaining family and friends. At the time of her death, she was grateful and blessed for her wonderful life, good health and loving family.
Ruth is survived by her three children, Barbara, Bill (Kathy) and Brian; four grandchildren, Austin, Leslie, Carson and Krystina; and Joplin area nieces and nephews, Steve (Susan) Satterlee, Courtney (Jon) Dermott, Gil (Susan) Stevens and Sana (Frank) Shagets. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willard L. Butts.
Following cremation, there will be a graveside service and interment scheduled at a later time at Mount Hope Cemetery in Joplin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of the Valley, 1510 East Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014, or www.hov.org/donate or to the charity of your choice.
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Ruth C. Butts
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