Blanche "Bea" Butler

Blanche (Bea) Butler, 102 of Bryan formerly of Dumas, passed away on Thursday, September 7, 2023.  Graveside services will be held at 10:30 in the morning on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Lane Memorial Cemetery.  A memorial service will follow at 1 o’clock in the afternoon at Morrison Memorial Chapel in Dumas with Bruce Broxson officiating.  The family will receive friends from 6 o'clock to 8 o'clock in the evening on Friday at the funeral home. Arrangements are entrusted to Beeson Morrison Funeral Directors.

Blanche (Bea) Butler was born on June 4, 1921 in Gouldbusk, TX.  The last child of seven to Richard and Lou Ella (Morris) Hodge. She grew up in the surrounding areas around Lubbock (Ropes, Littlefield and Slaton).   During her youth, she played basketball, baseball and volleyball.  On November 29, 1938 she married the love of her life John (Jay) Butler Jr.  They had two children, Eva and Sharon.  In 1946, they began farming and ranching in Moore County until retiring in the early 80s.  During her life she participated in many activities and interests.  She was a charter member of the Cactus Baptist Church serving in many different capacities.  As Worthy Matron of Sunray Eastern Star, she held the record for the most inductees in a single year.  Jay and Bea traveled throughout the United States and two countries (Mexico and Canada).  They participated in three Presidential Inaugurations including touring the White House with President Carter’s family.  Trips to New Mexico and Colorado for her family’s reunions/vacations and Jay’s Butler/Blum family reunions at Lubbock’s Mackenzie Park were among her favorite memories.  Trips to McAllen, Laredo, San Antonio and Zapata with Winter Texans was a special time in her life where Bea and Jay enjoyed playing both contract and duplicate bridge in Texas and California.

She was a very special lady and will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband of over 70 years and her daughter Eva Terrell.  Son-in-law
David Terrell, grandson, John Terrell, her parents and all her brothers and sisters.

She is survived by her daughter, Sharon Barnes (Dale), Bryan, Texas, grandchildren, Jaylyn Alexander, Amarillo; Joann Terrell, Borger; Kelli Mishima, Bryan, Texas; Kim Sanders (Aaron) Round Rock, Texas; 8 great-grandchildren and many great-great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews, brother-in-law, Bill Butler and wife (Movis) Stillwater, Oklahoma, Toni Terrell (John’s wife), Amarillo.

The family wants to give a special thanks to the many caregivers and loved ones for all their loving care, visits, phone calls, flowers, birthday videos, and other thoughtful ways that made her life mor enjoyable.