Obituary of Beatrice I. Butler

BEATRYCE IMOGENE BUTLER Beatryce Imogene Heathcott, the middle child of Herman Heathcott and Vivian Biggs Heathcott, was born on September 11, 1924, in Paint Rock, Arkansas. Bea died January 3, 2014 at age 89, in Santa Barbara, after a lengthy illness. Bea spent her early childhood in and around Paint Rock and Driggs, Arkansas, both rural areas. She and her two brothers, Donald and Gwendol Heathcott, started school in a one-room church building. When Bea was in 4th grade, her family moved to the small coal mining town of Paris, Arkansas where she graduated from Paris High School at the age of 17. Bea then moved to Los Angeles, where she lived with a friend and worked in a large grocery store. During that time, she took a trip to Santa Barbara, fell in love with it and vowed to live here one day. In 1955, Bea's dream was fulfilled, when she and her husband, Joe Butler, and their three children moved from San Antonio, Texas to Santa Barbara, where she lived for the rest of her life. Through the years, Bea did many things for a living, including working as a cashier for McGowan and Thrifty Drugs for approximately 20 years. She and Joe started Butler Realty (now Century 21 Butler Realty Inc.) as a "mom, and pop" business during the sixties. Bea was a salesperson there while also working at Thrifty Drug Store, and helping out with the family janitorial service. Through the years, Bea and Joe invested in rental property and condominium complexes in Santa Barbara and Ventura, and they also owned and operated several laundries. Bea worked in their Coast Village Laundry until age 76. Bea was well known for her determination, her sense of humor, her love of animals and most importantly, her love for her family, all of whom will miss her greatly. Bea also had many long-lasting friendships, and she will be remembered for her loyalty, her generosity and her genuineness. Bea was always happy to help others in any way she was able. Preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her husband, Joe, Bea is survived by eight children, Carol High, of Las Vegas, NV; James D. Weaver and wife Dolores, Charles Butler and wife Sylvia, and Pamela Quirke and husband Jim all of Santa Barbara; Joe Butler II and wife Bonnie of El Dorado Hills, CA; Paula Cardozo and husband Wally of San Jose, CA; Diana Diaz and husband Rudy of San Marcos, CA and Jennifer Terrazas and husband Sergio of Hillsboro, OR. She has 24 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and numerous foster children, foster grand-children, nieces and nephews. We would like to thank the kind and supportive caregivers at Alexander Court for helping to make our mother's journey a little easier. There will be a viewing on Thursday, January 9th at McDermott, Crockett Mortuary , 2020 Chapala Street from 4-7 PM. Funeral services will be Friday, January 10th at 10AM at the First Christian Church, 1915 Chapala Street, Interment will follow at the Santa Barbara Cemetery located at 901 Channel Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Santa Barbara. There will be a celebration of Bea's life at 1:00 PM at the Butler Event Center located at 3744 State Street, Santa Barbara, Ca. 93105