Joyce Butler

Joyce Butler, 82, of Amarillo and formerly of Pampa, passed away September 5, 2018 in Amarillo.

Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, September 8, 2018, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel, with Rev. James Greer, Director of Missions for Top O’ Texas Baptist Association, and Zack Greer, associate pastor of Missions at First Baptist Church, officiating.  Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. 

Mrs. Butler was born October 2, 1935 in Reydon, Oklahoma to Olney and Elvee Turlington.  She married Jesse Earl Wright on January 13, 1968 and he preceded her in 2004 after nearly 36 years of marriage, living most of their lives in Pampa.  Joyce met Dale Butler, a lifelong resident of Pampa, at First Baptist Church, and they married on May 7, 2005.  In August of 2015, they moved to Amarillo. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church. 

Joyce loved to read and study, and enjoyed traveling, especially her times to Israel.  She enjoyed reading about Civil War history.  She loved cats and collected all kinds of cat collectibles.  In her younger years, she enjoyed photography. 

The family wishes to thank Ware Living Center and BSA Hospice of the Southwest for their loving care of Joyce.

Survivors include her husband, Dale Butler of the home; a granddaughter, Kim Kraaier of Amarillo; three stepsons, Gary Butler and wife Connie of Booker, Steve Butler and wife Joy of Amarillo, and  Richard Wright; two stepdaughters, Valerie Felton and husband Sid of Amarillo, and Jana Sanders and husband Terry of Greeley, Colorado; 10 step grandchildren and 12 step great grandchildren. 

Joyce was also preceded in death by; a son, Michael Lee Blevins; a daughter, Deborah Sue Kraaier; a son-in-law, Syd Kraaier; two brothers, Russell Turlington and Jim Turlington; twin siblings, Wilma Darlene and Wilson Eugene Turlington, and a granddaughter, Leah Sanders. 

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to Amarillo SPCA, 11901 S. Coulter, Amarillo, Texas 79119 or First Baptist Church Mission Fund, 203 N. West St., Pampa, Texas 79065.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6:00-7:30 PM.