Juanita

Tupelo Juanita Nita Butler, 84, died Sunday, March 21, 2010, at The North Mississippi Medical Center. She was born February 9, 1926 in Tupelo to Labe and Beda Griffin Williams. She was a Tupelo High School graduate, a former Mrs. Mississippi, a former top 5 Mrs. America finalist. She retired from the Social Security Administration after more than 30 years of service. She was co-founder of Regional Rehabilitation Center and served on its board from its inception in 1962. She was the widow of Robert Butler who preceded her in death on July 2, 2005.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include two sons, Clark Alan Butler of the home and Philip Butler (Dian); two granddaughters, Mitzie Cecil and Kari Robison (Brandon); one grandson, Joshua Butler, all of Saltillo; four great-grandchildren, Alisha, Nicholas, Ainsley and Reese; one great-great-grandchild, Trevor; two brothers, Charles Williams of Marietta and James Milford Williams of Clarksdale; three special friends she considered to be family, Martha Langley, Josephine Higginbotham and Arthur "Grasshopper" Lamar Clark

She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one sister, Sybil Hill.

Pallbearers will be her nephews.

Visitation will be 4 - 8 pm. Monday, March 22, 2010 at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Regional Rehabilitation Center, 615 Pegram Drive, Tupelo, Miss 38801

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com