Reva Stubblefield

Artist, Historian, Columnist —

REVA THOMAS WAS BORN in 1898. At age 19, she moved to the Butler, Mo. area, where she lived out her days. She was married and gave birth to two sons. At age 60, Stubblefield took up painting. Her works, mostly of historical nature, won numerous blue ribbons at local art shows. Her unswerving determination and talent enabled her to excel in many fields, but what Stubblefield was remembered most for was her dedication and untiring efforts in connection with the Museum of Pioneer History in Butler, and as a widely known newspaper columnist. 

In 1961, she spearheaded the establishment of the museum in the former Bates County jail building. In the years that followed, Stubblefield served as curator and contributed untold hours of work toward seeking and displaying thousands of items of historical significance in the museum.

In the mid 1960s, she began writing a weekly ”Historical Notes“ column for the ”Bates County Democrat.“ It continued in the subsequent years in the ”Bates County News Headliner“ and more recently in the new ”Xpress.“ Her colorful writing was known and respected nationwide.