Mrs. Bates Butts

January 10, 1921 - October 10, 2011

Mrs. Geraldine Butts, 90, of Preston, Mississippi, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2011, after a brief illness of pneumonia at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Mississippi. A memorial service, led by Rev. Allan Eaves, will be held graveside at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at Hailey-Richey Cemetery on County Line Road in Kemper County (on Winston-Kemper County line). Mrs. Butts was born January 10, 1921, and most of her life was spent in Meridian, Mississippi, Austin, Texas, Jackson, Mississippi, and in Winston County, Mississippi. She was a faithful member of Ebenezer Pentecostal Church. One of her greatest joys was to play the piano for her church on Ebenezer Church Road, which she was able to do until just a few weeks before the Lord called her home. She was a great Christian lady with loving kindness for everyone. Mrs. Butts served in the United States Navy during World War II. As a young person, she worked in several companies. In 1971, Mrs. Butts graduated with a master's degree from the University of Alabama. She retired from the University of Texas and the Mississippi School of the Deaf. Mrs. Butts is survived by two brothers, George W. Bates and wife, Sally, and Frank Bates and wife, Freda; and by her sister-in-law, Lillian Bates, all of Birmingham, Alabama, as well as, several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert K. Butts; her parents, George M. and Ethel Wade Bates; and three brothers, R. D. Bates, O. T. Bates, and an infant brother. Memorials may be made to the Gideon's or to the charity of your choice. Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, Mississippi, is handling the arrangements. You may sign the guestbook at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.