Barbara Rafferty (Tillman) Butts

Barbara Rafferty (Tillman) Butts, 73, of Wamego, KS, passed away Monday, July 11, 2011 at Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center of Wamego. Barbara was born April 15, 1938 in Topeka, KS, the daughter of Austin D. and Josephine (Olliso) Tillman. She attended grade schools in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High School in 1956. She married Richard L. Rafferty on May 26, 1962 in Miami, OK. He preceded her in death on March 11, 1985. She later married Keith G. Butts on April 24, 1993. He also preceded her in death on October 23, 2005. Barbara was a member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Wamego and also the St. Bernard’s Women’s Guild. She loved to bowl and was a member of numerous local bowling teams over the years. She also enjoyed doing crafts, sewing, puzzle books, dancing, and reading a good book. Her biggest joy was her time with her grandkids. Survivors include her three daughters, Theresa Peddicord, of Wamego, KS, Patricia Nelson and her husband Mark, of Wamego, KS, and Carolyn Leeds and her husband Jamie, of Council Grove, KS; one sister, Delores Kennedy and husband, Carl, of Topeka, KS; and 7 grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, John, Robert, Albert and Melvin; and twin children, James L. and Janice L. Rafferty. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 15, 2011 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church of Wamego. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Barbara will lie in-state at the Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego beginning at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, where the family will greet friends during a visitation from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and a prayer service will be recited at 8:00 p.m. Memorials are suggested to the Wamego Public Library, or Valley Vista Good Samaritan Center, and may be left in care of the Stewart Funeral Home, PO Box 48, 66547.