Opal Louise Butts

Opal Lousie Butts (Johnson/Purcella) passed away on December 20, 2025. She was a resident at Sunset Villa and a previous resident of Peachtree Retirement Village in Roswell. The family would like to thank all the staff at Sunset Villa for making Opal comfortable and for the care they provided for her. We would also like to thank the staff at Peachtree for assisting Opal during her eight years there. Both places provided excellent care.

Opal Butts was born on March 3, 1929, in Roswell, NM, to Miller and Elza Johnson. Opal was raised by Frank and Edna Purcella at Tinnie, NM. The Johnsons were struggling pig farmers in Roswell. Frank and Edna stopped by to visit Miller and Elza, Frank's niece, when they noticed that Opal was very sick. Doctors were hard to come by at that time. Edna asked if she could take Opal home with her and keep her until she was well. Frank and Edna raised Opal on their sheep ranch in Tinnie. Opal attended school in Tinnie and Hondo, NM.

Opal met George Butts when he was traveling through the Hondo valley after being discharged from the Navy. George and Opal were married on December 24, 1947, in Big Springs, TX. Frank Purcella became ill, and Opal and George returned to live on the ranch in Tinnie, in1951. George and Opal raised four children in Tinnie.

Opal is preceded in death by husband, George, and sons, Harlan and Dale. Opal is survived by son Frank (Lynette) of Corrales, NM and daughter Janet (Clark) Taylor of Capitan, NM. She is survived by grandchildren, Doug (Victoria) Butts of Alabama, Jarett Butts of Houston, TX, Clint (Dominique) Taylor of Artesia, NM and Ray (Michelle) Taylor of Lubbock, TX, Sarah Butts and JoLynn (Steve)Kniffin of Corrales, NM and numerous greats.

Opal's burial at Tinnie Cemetery will take place later.