Obituaries

Juanita Butler

Photo of Juanita Butler
Juanita Lenora (Kirk) Butler of Russellville died Saturday, March 24, 2018 at Arkansas Hospice in Russellville, Ark., at the age of 96. She was born on July 20, 1921, at her parents' home in Lead Hill, Ark., under the care of a midwife. She was the eldest of seven children born to Lenora Bessie (Cook) Kirk and Walter G. Kirk. They were raised on a farm on a mountain between Bergman and Lead Hill (Boone County) that is still known as Kirk Mountain. She married Kent Butler on May 10, 1941, and they were married for 64 years until his death in 2005. They had three children: Stan Butler (Jenny) of Conway, Ark., Kay Salmon of Little Rock, and Micki (Howard "Bubba") Houston of Fayetteville, Ark.; four grandchildren, Tammy (Charles) Sturgeon of Scotland, Julie (Andy) McNeill of Russellville, Chris (Lauren) Houston of Franklin, Tenn., and Ryan (Brooke) Houston of Tulsa, Okla.; and numerous great grandchildren. She is further survived by a brother, J. S. Kirk of Tulsa, Okla.; and a sister Emma Lois Hancock of Bentonville, Ark. She was preceded in death by a brother, Buford Walter Kirk of Hot Springs, Ark.; Anna Mae Williams of Hot Springs, Ark.; Dorothy Moore of Harrison, Ark.; and Bonita Lou Jones of Hot Springs, Ark. Juanita was a 1950 graduate of Arkansas Tech and was an elementary school teacher at Bergman, Pottsville, Flippin, Yellville and Russellville for a combined 34 years, 24 years in Russellville. She taught at Center Valley, Oakland Heights and Sequoyah elementary schools in Russellville. She was a lifelong Methodist, having joined the Bergman Methodist Church at the age of 16. She was very active in the First United Methodist Church in Russellville, having served as a volunteer receptionist, President of United Methodist Women, taught Sunday School, assisted in administrative duties as well as helping to provide meals for various church functions, and was Secretary for the Deaton-Roush Circle. Juanita loved being at the church and was there any time there was an opportunity for her to be of service. She served the education community in many ways, serving as Secretary of the Arkansas Education Association, President of the Upper Elementary Teachers Association, President of the Arkansas River Valley Reading Council and President of the Russellville Classroom Teachers Association as well as Secretary and Vice-President. She was also an Outdoor Activities Counselor for 5th grade camps and was a supervisor for Student Teachers. Juanita served at various times as Treasurer and President of the Beta Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and District IV Director. To her family, friends and most anyone who knew her, she was the epitome of Southern grace, dignity, cheerfulness and humility. A memorial service will be held in the Memorial Chapel (former Sanctuary) at First United Methodist Church in Russellville on Thursday, March 29, at 11 a.m. and at Bergman United Methodist Church in Bergman on Friday, March 30, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at York Cemetery in Bergman, under the direction of Humphrey Funeral Services of Russellville. The family requests that any memorials be made to Arkansas Hospice River Valley Home, 220 John Babish Ln., Russellville, Ark. 72801. Internet obituary and online guestbook at available at: www.humphreyfuneral.com.

Published March 27, 2018

Upcoming Events