A Celebration of Life service for Iris Kirkendall Butts, of Shattuck, Enid, Edmond, and most recently of Epworth Villa, Oklahoma City, will be 11:00 am, Friday, June 10, 2016 at Memorial Park Cemetery in the Garden Chapel. Reverend Don Johnson of Central Christian Church will officiate. At 11:45 am, following the graveside service, there will be a reception for family and friends at Central Christian Church, 1111 West Broadway in Enid. A memorial service at Epworth Villa in Oklahoma City will be scheduled at a later date. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Iris was born December 13, 1916 near Carmen, Oklahoma to Elza Kirkendall and Blanche (Hill) Kirkendall, and passed away June 5, 2016. She enjoyed a wonderful life and, at 99, was blessed to be mentally sharp, balancing her own check register until the last week of her life.

Elza and Blanche moved their family to the Aline community when Iris was at the age of three. A life-long resident of Oklahoma, she graduated from Aline High School eighty-one years ago and was recognized as the oldest living graduate at a recent reunion. Following her graduation from Enid Business College in May of 1938, she was employed in Enid.

On July 3, 1938, Iris married Mylus L. Butts in the Kirkendall country home in Aline. They made their home in Enid until the family moved to Shattuck in 1950.

Iris was employed by the Shattuck National Bank for twenty-seven years, serving as assistant cashier for seventeen years, until her retirement in May 1982. She and Mylus built and operated the Holiday Motel in Shattuck for over twenty years before selling it and returning to Enid in late 1982.

A member of the Aline Christian Church at an early age, Iris later was active in both the Shattuck United Methodist Church and Central Christian Church in Enid. She was a member of the Shattuck Sorosis Study Club and other community organizations. In Enid, she participated in Christian Women’s Fellowship, Garden Study Club, and Sooner Sunday School Class.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Mylus, and brothers Don Kirkendall and Lindley Kirkendall.

Iris is survived by two sons, Monty L. Butts and wife, Jane, of Tulsa, OK; and James D. Butts and wife, Patti, of Edmond, OK. She was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother to Ryan K. Butts and wife Casey, of Nichols Hills, OK; Tiffany Butts Culver and husband Whit, of Tulsa, OK; Kimberly Butts, of Tulsa, OK; Matthew L. Butts and wife Chloe, Houston, TX; and great-grandchildren Waite and Emeline Culver of Tulsa; and Maxwell and Lily Butts of Houston.

The family wishes to thank the residents and staff at Epworth Villa. They made Iris feel very special. We are also grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff of OU Medical Center Edmond during the last week of Mom’s life.

Memorials in Iris’ name may be made to Central Christian Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made online at www.ladusauevans.com.

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