Grace Butler West

Grace Butler West, of College Station, Texas, went peacefully to her heavenly home on January 13, 2026.

Grace was born on September 30, 1935, in Lockhart, Texas. She grew up in Eagle Pass, Texas, and later in Carrizo Springs, Texas. In high school, Grace was a talented basketball player known for her impressive left-handed hook shot. In the early 1950s, Grace was chosen for the prestigious regional "Golden Girls" team, an honor given to top girls' high school basketball players in South Texas. She also served as drum major, an early sign of the leadership and dedication she carried throughout her life. In 1958, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M University - Kingsville), where she distinguished herself as an active and accomplished student.

The summer before her senior year of college, while living at home, Grace met the love of her life, Dale. His pilot assignment with the United States Air Force had been delayed for a year, bringing him to Carrizo Springs as an assistant football coach and history teacher. One year later, they married, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love, faith, and service.

Grace spent the early years of marriage supporting Dale during his military service while raising their family. Though they moved often, more than 20 times, she had a remarkable gift for making every place feel like home. Her kitchen was often the heart of that home, filled with incredible home-cooked meals lovingly prepared to suit everyone's tastes. Grace's cooking was legendary among family and friends, a tangible expression of her care, generosity, and joy in serving others.

She was a deeply involved and proud mother, grandmother, and Nana, always eager to know what her children and grandchildren were doing and happy to tell anyone who would listen about their activities and accomplishments.

Grace and Dale were faithful members of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Boerne, Texas, where they served in many capacities over the years. Their shared faith guided their lives and relationships. They especially loved the property where they retired, enjoying the beauty of the land, gardening, and all of God's creatures, from their golden retrievers to the birds, squirrels, and deer that brought them daily joy.

True to her name, Grace embodied grace even in her final days, never wavering in her confidence about where she was going and continually expressing gratitude for those who lovingly cared for her. Her life was a quiet example of James 2:17, 1 Corinthians 13:7, and Matthew 6:3–4. Faith in action, love without condition, and service without recognition. She is deeply missed for her caring heart, steadfast faith, warm and welcoming smile, and the love she poured into every life she touched. The world is a better place because of who Grace was.

Grace is survived by her sister, Donna Patterson (Mack); brother, Samuel Butler (Christel); sister-in-law Mary Lee West-Manuel (Charlie); sister-in-law, Carolyn West; brother-in-law, Milton West (Mary Ane); son, Joel D. West (Stephanie), and grandchildren, Connor West and Camille West; daughter, Tamara L. Currie (Randy), and grandchildren, Amber Rivera (Christian) and Grant Currie (Nhi); daughter, Lisa W. Garner (Porter III), and grandchildren, Claire Sheffield (Zeke), Callie Garner, and Porter Garner IV; nieces and nephews, Laura Ruth Camfield, Jennifer Morgan, Byrom Butler, Shawn Richard, Rhonda Wheeler, Ginger Vaught, Teri Cober, Mark Perhamus, Kelly Martinak, Logan Butler, Stephanie Badeaux, Jennifer Abram, Sherry Gonzalez, Ken West, Tim West, April West, Jeremy West, and Cristyn Park; and great-grandchildren, Bela, Logan, and Jack.

Grace is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Dale, and her parents, Lovic Pierce (L.P.) and Ruth Butler, brother James Butler, and sisters Susan Thomas and Sara Perhamus.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Life Center at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Boerne, Texas or Aggieland Humane Society in Bryan, Texas.