Marguerite Steele Walling Butler

Marguerite Steele Walling Butler Devoted mother and grandmother, Marguerite died on Monday, August 24, 2009 surrounded by her loving family after having enjoyed lunch with dear friends. Marguerite was born in Childress, Texas on May 13, 1920, the adored only child of Catherine Cecilia Barnhart Walling and John Travis Walling. A descendant of pioneer Texas families, Marguerite loved summering with her seven Barnhart aunts and one uncle at their Texas homesteads and in Colorado Springs. Marguerite graduated from Childress High School and attended Texas Women's University in Denton where she was elected Freshman Class President. She transferred to the University of Texas, joining Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, was elected a UT Bluebonnet Belle and graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Science in English and Literature. In 1939 she was chosen as a beauty in the Texas A&M University Yearbook where her future husband was in school. She married Martin Butler, a third generation Austinite, on August 2, 1945 at St. Mary's Church, later to become St. Mary's Cathedral where Martin's family donated the steeple bell and several stained glass windows. She adored her three children, her five wonderful grandchildren, and her many dear friends including those in Theta Group, Birthday Club, Sewing Club and Wednesday Group. Marguerite enjoyed summers at Port Aransas on the Texas Gulf Coast with the Robinson and Butler families. She shared with all who knew her a zest for life, a kind and sensitive nature and a value for others. Her strong faith was her constant support and she would regularly send special prayers to her children. She was a devoted Catholic, dedicated to her family and her church. Marguerite was active in her community as a member of the Seton Development Board, the Settlement Club, the Junior League of Austin, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, a life member of Texas Exes, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames of America, Helping Hand Home Society, Austin Women's Club, Coronet Club, Headliners' Club, Westwood Country Club, Tarry House, St. Austin's Catholic Church and St. Mary's Cathedral. She maintained strong relationships with her life long West Texas friends and associates. She believed the "owners footsteps were important" in protecting heritage and lands which have been in her family for over one hundred years. Marguerite is survived by her three children, Robert Martin Butler and his wife, Lutie, of Austin; Elizabeth Butler Scott and her husband, Monty, of Little Rock, AR; and Catherine Butler Howell and her husband, Bill, of Ft. Worth; and her grandchildren, William Ronald Howell, Jr., Robinson Butler Howell and his wife, Ramsey, John Patrick Stinson Howell, Morin Montagu Scott, III and Catherine Elizabeth Joy Scott. She will be dearly missed by her loving family and many friends of all ages. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral, Austin, TX on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. The Rosary will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel, 3125 North Lamar Blvd, on Friday, August 28, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Assumption Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her four grandsons. Should friends desire to honor her memory, contributions may be made to: St. Mary's Cathedral, 203 East 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701, Holy Angels Catholic Church, 511 Avenue B, NW, Childress, TX 79201, The Seton Fund, 1206 West 38th #4200, Austin, TX 78705, and Helping Hand Home, 3804 Avenue B, Austin, TX 78751.