Catherine Stewart Buttrum

CATHERINE STEWART BUTTRUM, age 88, of Little Rock passed away May 5, 2011. She was born March 25, 1923 in Arkadelphia, Ark. to William Andrew and Florence Beck Stewart. She always considered Arkadelphia home, even after moving to Little Rock as a child. Her family ties go back generations to some of the early residents of this city. Her grandfather, George M. Beck, was editor, publisher, and part owner of the Southern Standard newspaper and later owner and editor of the Arkadelphia Herald. In 1914, her mother flipped the switch that turned on the first electric lights in Arkadelphia. Her father, Will Stewart, came from a family of merchant and drug store owners in Arkadelphia, starting with STEWART & BRO in the 1870's. At the time of his death in 1976, Will was the second oldest licensed pharmacist in the state of Arkansas. Catherine was a graduate of Little Rock High School and attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., studying early childhood development. Her desire to work with children led her to start a nursery school in Hot Springs, where she met her future husband, Floyd Mitchell Buttrum. They were married for 57 years when he passed away in 2006. Her greatest joy in life after raising two daughters, was caring for young children in her home and later spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church of Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and her brother, Bill Stewart. Catherine is survived by two daughters, Alice Dale Adams (Gary) of Little Rock and Catherine Stewart Young (Eddy) of Benton; five grandsons, Chris Adams (Amanda) of Superior, Colo., Brian Adams (Robin) of Lawton, Okla., Jeremy Adams (Sarah) of Little Rock, Andy and Brad Young both of Benton, Ark.; six great-grandchildren, Parker, Will, and Claire Adams of Superior, Colo., Zoe Powers of Lawton, Okla., David and John Adams of Little Rock; and one nephew, Bill Stewart of Bellevue, Wash. Funeral services will be 10:30, Monday, May 9, in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Chapel in Arkadelphia with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Buttrum will lie in state from 9 a.m. till service time at the funeral home. There will be no formal visitation. Memorials may be made to the Clark County Historical Association, 750 South 5th St., Arkadelphia, Ark. 71923. Sign on line guest book at www.ruggleswilcox.com.