BUTLER, Ruby

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 07/29/2005 Ruby Trammell Butler, 92, a longtime school teacher died July 23, 2005 in Glendale. Ruby was born in Springerville Oct. 24, 1912 shortly after Arizona became a state, to pioneers Connor Luther Trammell and Savilla Thompson Trammell. She was one of nine children. She attended Springerville Elementary School and graduated from Round Valley High School in 1928. At the age of 16, Ruby entered what is now Arizona State University in Tempe. She graduated in 1934 and began a lifetime of teaching and mentoring children. Her first position was in a one-room school in Nutrioso. She continued her career in Springerville, Flagstaff, Albuquerque, N.M. and finally Glendale at William C. Jack Elementary School. Her love of teaching was exemplified by her pride in the fact that two daughters, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson followed her in her chosen profession. Ruby married Kenneth Slade Butler June 12, 1937 in Springerville. They were married 54 years until Ken passed away in 1992 after a long career with the U.S. Forest Service. Ruby was a member of the Glendale Women's Club and was named Woman of the Year. She was a Girl Scout and Camp Fire Girl leader. Bridge was another of Ruby's favorite activities. She was a member of the bridge club in Glendale for many years. She was a lifetime member of the Springerville Presbyterian Church, and also attended the Epworth United Methodist Church in Glendale. In addition to her parents and husband, Ruby was preceded in death by sisters Hazel Mason, Callie Schuster, Ethel Riley, Lucy Trammell and Gerry Cook; brothers Robert and James (Duker) Trammell; and grandson Mark Henry Butler. She is survived by her brother Ralph Trammell of Springerville; five children; 11 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Surviving children and their spouses are daughter Ethel (Daryl) Shumaker of El Paso, Texas; son, Ken Butler (June) of Lakeside, Amanda (Tom) Pyle of Medford, Oregon, daughter Helen (Ron) Eckhart of Fountain Valley, Calif.; and son Connor (Patty) Butler of Peoria. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Rachel Oare of Camp Verde, Caroline Trammell of Springerville; and brother-in-law Jim Cook. A visitation was held Tuesday, July 26 at the Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary in Glendale. Funeral services were held Thursday, July 28 at the Springerville Presbyterian Church, with burial following in the Cemetery in Eagar. Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary in Glendale handled arrangements.