Grace Elizabeth (Babbitt) Butts, 76, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, was born January 2, 1945, in rural, Cass Township to the late Loren and Evelyn (Mead) Babbitt. She was called to her Heavenly home on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at Texas County Memorial Hospital with family at her side.
On June 2, 1962, she married the love of her life, Elster Butts, and they shared 59 years of marriage together. To this union three children were born, Harold, Karla, and Kirby.
Grace served the Lord faithfully since the time of her salvation at a young age. She took her job seriously of raising her little family up to love the Lord and faithfully serve Him. Her heart was so filled with joy and God that every morning she would be singing hymns while fixing breakfast. Elster and Grace were longtime members of Cornerstone Free Will Baptist Church.
Grace was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother and absolutely adored her family. She was an excellent cook and avid gardener. She did whatever was needed to take care of her family. After working all day, Grace would take the time every evening to ride bikes, play softball (which she was really good at!) and badminton with us kids. She was great with kids. We always teased her saying it was because she was a kid at heart.
She loved to laugh; she would have the whole family rolling with laughter. She also had a serious side. I can think of many times when there was an accident or someone needed help, mom would always stop and help in any way she could. When Grace opened the door to anyone, she opened her heart too.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Elster Butts; parents, Loren and Evelyn Babbitt; sister, Bonnie Lozano; brother, Kenneth Babbitt; and niece, Arlynda Beuterbaugh.
She leaves behind her son, Harold Butts and wife, Sheri, of Springfield, Missouri; daughter, Karla Swisher and husband, Jeff, of Wentworth, Missouri; son, Kirby Butts of Mountain Grove, Missouri; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Butts, Deanna Wright, Emily Swisher, Kirstie Swisher, Ethan Butts, Nate Butts, Travis Butts, and Cheyenne Butts; two great-grandchildren; sister-in- law, Charlotte Crowe and husband, Bob, of Mountain Grove Missouri; niece, Leslie Rose and husband, James, of Rogersville, Missouri; and numerous other dear family and friends who will miss her.
