Biography:

Virginia Ann Hays Buttry of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on October 7, 2026, at the age of 86, after a brief illness. She was born on December 21, 1939, in Prescott, Arkansas, the only child of the late Jess Boyer Hays and Elizabeth Sharp Hays.

Virginia Ann was raised in Prescott and graduated from Prescott High School before attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority. She went on to earn a Master of Education degree. She was married to James Altus Buttry for 50 years, until his passing in 2013.

Virginia Ann was deeply devoted to her family, her wide circle of friends, and the many cherished dogs and cats that enriched her household through the years. Her door was always open to anyone or any animal in need. She was an avid tennis player and golfer, and enjoyed sailing and fly fishing with her husband. Reading mysteries and completing the daily crossword were also among her favorite activities.

She is survived by her three sons: Altus Hays Buttry (Lana Phan) of Little Rock, Edwin Craig Buttry of Little Rock, and James Averitt Buttry (Robert Coburn) of Southampton, New York; her granddaughter, Holly Ann Buttry of Little Rock; and three step-grandchildren, Claudia Phan-Lopez, Victoria Phan-Fishburn, and Victor Phan. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ruth Elizabeth Buttry, in 1965.

The family will hold a private service, with arrangements under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home (RuebelFuneralHome.com). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Virginia Ann’s memory to the Humane Society of Pulaski County (www.warmhearts.org).