Kinue Chibana Butts

After a courageous battle with gastric cancer, Kinue Chibana Butts passed away on March 22, 2016, five days short of her 65th birthday. She was born on March 27, 1951 in Ginowan, Okinawa, to father Kamezo Chibana and mother Ushi Goya. She was a resident of Newport News for 33 years.

Kinue was an employee of the U.S. Army and Air Force as an NAF MWR employee and retired in 2011 after 30 years of service. She was a member of the Okinawa Kai in Washington, DC.

Kinue loved to take trips to her beloved Okinawa, weekend excursions to Atlantic City, watching the Atlanta Braves, bowling, billiards, and fishing. When diagnosed, Kinue wanted more than anything to see Okinawa one last time. She remained brave, never giving up her fight, trying to overcome her disease.

Kinue is preceded in death by her parents and her son, Donald Cox-Rini. She leaves behind her husband, Danny Butts; son, Allen Williams; stepson, Flynn Butts; daughter-in-law, Hanh Williams; grandchildren, Daniel, Cullen, Jason, Vy, and Van Williams, and Adam and Karly Rini; and sisters, Kazuko Pugh of Jacksonville, NC and Yoko Goya of Uruma-Shi, Okinawa.

As requested, Kinue was cremated. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to www.nostomachforcancer.org.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.