Mary Elizabeth Butt | |
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Born |
Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth February 4, 1903 Loma Vista, Texas |
Died | October 6, 1993 | (aged 90)
Residence | Corpus Christi, Texas |
Nationality | United States |
Occupation | philanthropist |
Known for | co-founder of the Conference of Texas Foundations and Trusts |
Spouse(s) | Howard Edward Butt Sr. |
Children | Howard E. Butt Jr. (deceased) Margaret Eleanor Butt Crook Charles Clarence Butt Mary Beth Butt (deceased) |
Parent(s) | Rosa Ross Thomas Holdsworth |
Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt (1903–1993) was a prominent Texas philanthropist and wife of HEB Grocery Company founder Howard Edward Butt Sr. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the development of library services.
Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt was born on February 4, 1903 near Loma Vista, Texas, the daughter of Rosa (née Ross) and Thomas Holdsworth. She was the fourth of seven children. Her father, the son of an English schoolteacher, emigrated from England to Texas with his parents in 1880. Her mother was a schoolteacher who grew up and worked in Kerrville, Texas. Both her parents were devout, tithing Baptists. In 1924, she married Howard Edward Butt. Howard owned a small grocery store in Kerrville. Over time, her husband’s business prospered and expanded, enabling Mary Elizabeth to take an active role in supporting numerous and varied charitable causes. Her husband stated: "I make the money, and Mary spends it (on worthy causes). And I am glad she does." In 1940, they moved to Corpus Christi, Texas.
In 1929, she moved to Brownsville, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley and thereafter to Harlingen. Mary Elizabeth started the State Crippled Children's Program using her dining room as an office. She also served as chairwoman of the Cameron County Child Welfare Board. In addition, she started the first tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment program in the region; and also purchased the first equipment used to test the hearing and vision of schoolchildren.
In 1934, the Butts formed the H. E. Butt Foundation, one of the first charitable organizations in Texas. The foundation focused on funding public school programs, establishing libraries and constructing recreational facilities. Mary Butt served as its president.
In 1940, the Butt family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where she organized the local branches of the YWCA; the Nueces County home for the aged; the Nueces County Tuberculosis Hospital; and the local branch of the American Cancer Society. She also established the Mary Bethune Day Nursery which addressed shortfalls in access to day care for African-American children.