This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Butler, Holman Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4235/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Las Cruces Sun News 19 April 2010 Virginia Ruth Holman Butler, beloved wife and mother of the Oscar and Virginia Butler family of Las Cruces, passed from this life at 3:15 a.m. on April 12, 2010. The eldest of four children, she was born to Carl and Mabel Laura Holman on June 21, 1918, in Wellington, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Carl "Bud", her sister, Mary, and her youngest child, Laura Elizabeth Butler-Evans. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Oscar Butler; her younger sister, Martha Ann Smith (Phil), of Fullerton, California; four children: Mary Lewise Hattersley (Cleve), Austin, Texas; John Carl Butler (Marie), Falls Church, Virginia; Gordon Lewis Butler (Martha) Las Cruces; and David Holman Butler (Terry), Las Cruces; nine grandchildren: Laurie, Harmony, Happy, Braeden, Max, Miranda, Hilee, Charles, and Miles; and eight great-grandchildren: Kris, Robert, George, Henry, Clinton, Craig, Nathanael and Gilead; and extended family. Virginia inspired the love and admiration of her family, and she had the same effect on most who knew her. She was a gentle, patient, and loving spouse, mother, grandmother, teacher, friend, and a supporter of peaceful and progressive causes. From 1958 to 1978 she taught students of various grade levels at Valley View Elementary School in Las Cruces. She continued to volunteer in the public schools as a tutor and at her church as a Sunday school teacher for a number of years after her retirement. Shortly before her passing, she helped establish a fund to sponsor youth from the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Las Cruces to attend an annual training conference at the United Nations in New York City. These three young women have just returned from that conference with glowing reports about their experiences. Virginia's dedication to her family and her community--both locally and world-wide-was unwavering. To celebrate her life and perpetuate her memory, Virginia's friends and family will hold a memorial service on Friday, May 14, 2010, at 7 P.M. at the Unitarian Church of Las Cruces, 2000 South Solano Drive. All friends are invited. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be sent to the Virginia Butler Fund to sponsor youth involvement with the United Nations. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.