Rosa Lee (Garrett) Butts, 96, passed from this life to heaven where her faith became sight on December 3, 2021.  She was born to John and LaVina Garrett in Springfield MO. She graduated from Strafford High School as Valedictorian in 1943. She worked at the O'Reilly Hospital during WWII before attending business college.

Rosa Lee was united in marriage to William L. Butts, Sr. on June 19,1954. They were introduced while she worked at Inland Printing Company, and he was a salesman that called on the company. Together they made their home for many years in Springfield, retired to Bennett Spring State Park for 10 years, and then returned to Springfield.

Rosa Lee was a breast cancer survivor for 34 years. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Dementia in 2017. Thankfully, the incurable disease never took away her sweet spirit and smile.

Rosa Lee was a dedicated wife, mother of two children, and grandmother. She was a long-time, active member of Central Christian Church, and served in leadership roles for the Springfield Boy's and Girl's Club Auxiliary and a local chapter of the P.E.O. women's service organization.

She loved people and served others with her gift of hospitality.  As an excellent cook and baker, she passed many favorite recipes to her friends and family. As many of her aging friends lost their ability to drive, she gladly and lovingly made sure they could attend church or service organization activities.

There were two passions in the outdoors that she loved: wild bird watching and fly fishing for trout. Her favorite bird identification manual has countless notes of her first observation of bird species all over the country wherever she traveled. Fly fishing was a shared passion with her husband, son, and countless friends and acquaintances they made at home at Bennett Spring and throughout their travels. She and Bill Sr. were easy to spot on the stream at Bennett Spring by their yellow hats and left-handed casting style. She was a founding member of the Springfield Chapter of the Missouri Trout Fisherman's Association.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lois Garrett, brother Carl Garrett, and her husband Bill of 44 years. She is survived by her daughter Kathleen Hylton (James) of Andalusia AL, and her son William (Bill) Butts Jr. (Debra) of Springfield MO. Grandchildren, Shayne Hylton (Bobby Schwan) of Hermitage TN, Matthew Butts (Dallas TX) and Michelle Butts (Springfield). A special nephew Stephen Butts (Ozark), and special cousins Margaret Porter (Springfield) and Jane Boucher (Dayton OH). Special nieces are Gamma White and Gil Stoer (both in Ohio).

Rosa Lee's family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by Cedarhurst of Springfield Alzheimer's Care Facility, and Integrity Home and Hospice Care.

A celebration of life will be Friday, December 10 at South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield MO. Visitation will be at 10 am, with the service to follow at 11 am. A private graveside service will be in Lebanon MO.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Boy's and Girl's Club of Springfield MO.