Bettye Jean Morrow Butler

Bettye Jean Morrow Butler was born on June 23, 1930, in Springville, Mississippi, home of the smallest free-standing Post Office in the nation at that time. Her grandparents, Effie Dews Hinton and Willie Howard Hinton, lived in Springville and welcomed Bettye Jean into their lives as only doting grandparents can do. She was adored. When Bettye was 9 years old, she went with them to Houston, Texas, to attend Gone with the Wind, which was her forever favorite movie.

Bettye’s parents, Dorothy May Hinton Morrow and Joseph Van Morrow, lived in Pontotoc; and Bettye Jean was active in every phase of community life. She attended Girls’ Auxiliary and Vacation Bible School at the First Baptist Church and attended church camps. She took piano lessons from Ms. Vera Salmon and loved playing hymns throughout her life. Bettye Jean was also in Music Club and chosen Band Sweetheart, Cheerleader, Most Beautiful, Miss Pontotoc High School, and Homecoming Queen.

In 1948, Bettye married the love of her life James Nesbit Butler and they opened the Coffee Cup Restaurant. Even though many wonderful friendships and memories were made there, Jim decided he loved football; and coaching became his passion. Bettye was supportive of Jim as he started his career in Pontotoc, then to New Albany, and back to Pontotoc, enjoying many championships and successes. During this time, Bettye was chosen Mrs. Pontotoc County, a Fine Arts Club member; and she helped with many activities in Jim’s coaching activities and his career as teacher and principal. They also ran the city swimming pool in the summers. Bettye also found time to work briefly with the Pontotoc County Health Department.

Their daughter, Carole, was born in Pontotoc right after a Warrior football game; and their son Lance was born during their time in New Albany. As busy as they were following high school football and activities, they were always supporters of Ole Miss, where Jim graduated and played football. So, it was no surprise when the family decided to move to Oxford in 1961.

While in Oxford, their daughter, Mitzi, was born. Bettye and Jim were partners in the newly opened University Sporting Goods store on the Oxford Square and managed rental properties in Oxford. Her civic duties included being an officer in the Bramlett Elementary School PTO, a Pink Lady at the hospital, a member of University Dames (since 1962), a member of Woman’s Forum (president 3 times), a Sunday School teacher, an officer in the church WMU, and on the Building Committee for the First Baptist Church atrium and education building.

Although Bettye attended Itawamba Jr. College and Blue Mountain, she completed her degree at Ole Miss and was always a proud and supportive Ole Miss Rebel. All three of their children also graduated from Ole Miss.

Bettye had many interests and hobbies and enjoyed sending notes to friends and remembering birthdays. Particularly in her later years, she enjoyed writing poetry and had several stories and poems published. Much to her children’s anxiety, Bettye also frequently sent letters to the editors of various newspapers! She and her beloved husband Jim traveled often for Ole Miss and were ambassadors in recruiting alumni, friends, and students. For many years, they hosted homecoming parties in their home where there was much love and laughter. Governors, Miss Americas, Chancellors, and frequent guests in Oxford were entertained there.

Bettye was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years Jim Butler and her brother William Ralph Morrow. Left to cherish family memories of the home Bettye made with love and devotion to faith are daughters Carole Butler Haney (Hal) from Oxford and Mitzi Butler Linginfelter (Bill) from Atlanta and son James Lance Butler (Ginger Weeks) from Oxford. Grandchildren who will miss their Nan Nan are Whitney Morrow Haney Harris (Russell) of Memphis and Harold Eugene “Hunter” Haney, III of Oxford and William Butler Linginfelter of Atlanta and Elizabeth “Liza” Jean Linginfelter Peters (Thomas) of Atlanta. Great grandchildren are Haney Evelyn and Mallory Carole Harris of Memphis and Harold Eugene “Henry” Haney, IV and Mary Hardy Haney of Oxford, and Thomas Holt Peters of Atlanta, due in March.

The family appreciates the doting care and support of The Pinnacle; Edna Tallie; Ethel Goolsby; Enhabit Hospice; and Safe and Sound. Our mother wanted to especially thank her primary care physician, Dr. Chuck Hill, who was instrumental in keeping her healthy until her passing at age 95.

Bettye peacefully passed away on November 18, 2025, at The Pinnacle with her loving family. She is now in the loving arms of Jesus. Services to celebrate her beautiful life are at First Baptist Church in Oxford on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service. Burial is scheduled for Oxford Memorial Cemetery after the service with Waller Funeral Home. Pallbearers are sons-in-law Hal Haney and Bill Linginfelter and grandsons Hunter Haney and William Linginfelter and Russell Harris and Thomas Peters.

For those who wish to send a memorial remembrance, you may do so for

First Baptist Church, 800 Van Buren Avenue, Oxford, Mississippi 38655

Ole Miss Alumni Association, Post Office Box 1374, Oxford, Mississippi 38655 or

The James N. and Bettye M. Butler School of Education Scholarship Fund, University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, Mississippi 38655