Roll Call Tribute

Hubert Buren Nutt, Jr.

September 24, 1923 - December 3, 2022

Hubert Buren Nutt, Jr., of Valley Mills, departed his early home on December 3, 2022, completing a long, productive life strong in faith, and devoted to family and country. He was 99-years-old. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 9, at 10 A.M. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Patrick Wilson officiating. Burial will be in the Valley Mills Cemetery with military honors under the services of Foss Funeral Home & Cremation Center. Visitation will be 5 - 7 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. (For those who are unable to attend the scheduled visitation may come sign register at the funeral home on Wednesday and Thursday.)

Hubert was born in Valley Mills on September 24, 1923 and proudly called it home for almost 100 years. He was the first of four sons born to Hubert Buren Nutt, Sr., a Valley Mills school principal, and Katherine Godman Nutt, also an educator. His arrival came six years before the stock market crash of 1929 spiraling into the depths of a Great Depression. Hubert knew hard times before homes had electricity or indoor bathrooms; he rode in Model T Fords and witnessed space travel and the arrival of the internet. He lived through 17 American Presidents. He was a member of the Greatest Generation, and despite any hardships faced, Hubert Nutt would make the best of them. He possessed an abiding faith and determined work ethic which guided him through life with deep courage, strong character and abundant strength.

Hubert’s was a happy youth spent in a loving, close-knit family living next to the Valley Mills school, where he excelled in all sports… football, basketball, and baseball. He graduated from Valley Mills High School in May of 1941, six months before the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese Imperial Air Force which triggered the United States entry into WWII. Hubert and his brother, Bill, promptly enlisted in the Air Force. All four of the Nutt brothers were veterans. Hubert was eager to serve and disappointed that a medical condition kept him from flying. But he trained as an aircraft mechanic and serviced B-24 Bombers in Nevada throughout the war.

There was never any doubt that Hubert would attend college. His mother and father had met while students at Baylor University attending a performance of “Madame Butterfly.” His mother stressed the importance of an education to her sons. “It’s something that can never be taken from you,” she told them. Two brothers would attend Baylor, while Hubert and another brother chose Texas A&M, and he was a proud Aggie for life. Hubert enrolled upon his discharge from the Air Force in 1946, accessing the benefits of the G.I. Bill. There were only about 8,000 students at A & M at that time, Hubert recalled. But he didn’t make a lot of friends or attend many ballgames as a student because he spent most weekends on the road. He was smitten with a beautiful and vivacious young lady from Holland, Texas, who was studying to become a nurse at Scott & White Hospital in Temple. Following his graduation from A&M in the spring of 1949 with a degree in Dairy Husbandry, and her completion of nursing school, Hubert and Mary Elizabeth “Bettye” Goodnight were married on June 10, 1949. Hubert’s career took the couple to Birmingham, Alabama, where worked for the State Health Department as a creamery inspector; and to the Houston area where he also worked in the dairy industry.

Hubert’s love for his hometown called the couple back to Valley Mills where he wanted to raise a family. Together Hubert and Bettye welcomed three daughters they loved deeply; Elisa, Kimberly and Renee. Hubert bought a grocery and gas station on Highway 6 next to the current elementary school. He remembers that during cotton season when the gin was operating, he’d stay open most all night preparing short orders for workers and selling watermelons by the truck load to locals and travelers. After several years running the store, Hubert was hired by General Tire in Waco in 1955 as a tire inspector and graduating to supervisor. He helped many in Valley Mills find jobs with the company. He retired when the plant closed after 30-plus years of in 1986. During those years, Hubert served on the Valley Mills ISD school board of trustees, among other civic endeavors, and he and Bettye’s lives revolved around supporting their daughters in school activities and interests. Hubert was a busy retiree. Bettye’s nursing career also came to an end, and the couple enjoyed traveling with old friends in their trailer and camping, boating, fishing, and playing games. They bought a second home on Lake Whitney, which was enjoyed by family and friends. Hubert always had a farm and cattle operation. He and Bettye worked a large, bountiful garden, which they lovingly shared with others. He was renowned for his peanut brittle, which he made at Christmastime and enjoyed gifting. He was an excellent craftsman, and his beautiful woodwork is treasured by those lucky to have received them. Even after the loss of his precious Bettye in 2011 following 61 years of marriage, his hands were never idle and Hubert still gardened and managed rental properties in Valley Mills.

Hubert’s faith journey was very important to him and the guiding force of his life. He committed his life to Christ when his mother took him to a tabernacle revival at the old Valley Mills Park age seven. “I knew what it meant and what was expected of me throughout my life,” he said. He served in just about every capacity of the Valley Mills First Baptist Church over the past 93 years, including Sunday school teacher and deacon. Hubert was honored in August by the Quilts of Valor Foundation and the Daughters of the American Revolution for his service to his country during WWII. He was also feted with a reception marking his 99th birthday in September which was attended by family, his church congregation, and friends throughout the community he cherished.

There is a scripture, 2 Timothy 4: 7-8, which Hubert Nutt knew well. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearing.”

Hubert was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Bill, Seth and Rufus Nutt; his wife, Bettye; and grandsons Jordan Cauley Trevor Smith and great granddaughter Madalina Alvarez. He is survived by his three daughters, Elisa and James Campbell of Clifton, Kimberly Nutt Smith of Valley Mills, and Renee and Pat Cauley of Clifton. Grandchildren are Hannah Cauley and wife Ashley of Dallas, Owen Cauley of Pottsboro, Riley Cauley of Little Rock, and Kaitlyn Smith of Lewisville. Also left to cherish his memory are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family extend special thanks to longtime friend, Barbara Brown; his devoted home caregivers Shirley McMillan and Eve Olivarez; and Hospice Sunset’s Kim Evans and Brenda Zeni, each of whom made the end of life peaceful.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Waco Missions Inc., 3316 JJ Flewellen Rd, Waco, TX 76704, or First Baptist Church Music Program, % Allison Gilliam, PO Box 627, Valley Mills, Texas 76689.