Vala Dee James Butts was born in Lamar, Arkansas on June 18,1919. She grew up in Johnson and Newton Counties in Arkansas. She married Truman George Butts on April 1, 1944. Vala was one of twelve siblings but she and Truman had just one child Velma Frances Butts Wilson. A devoted wife widowed early, she was dedicated to her daughter and two grand Daughters Deanna Wilson and Donna Wilson until she passed away on September 5, 1990. Her parents were George Dewey James and Velma Florence Brasel James of Newton County, Arkansas.