Ruth Henderson Truncale
Ruth Henderson Truncale, 82, passed away on April 4, 2007, after a lengthy illness. Ruth, a descendant of a pioneer family of Gaston County, North Carolina, was born on March 30, 1925, in Hughes Springs, Texas, but she spent most of her childhood in Marshall, Texas. An accomplished pianist as a child, she was employed as a church organist and funeral home musician at the age of 12. Ruth wrote the music for the school song for East Texas Baptist University, “Now and Always,” while still a teenager.
Ruth, the Salutatorian of her Class and a member of Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, was graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Music. While at the University of North Texas, she met the love of her life, Joseph Truncale of Port Arthur, and together they made a positive impact on the cultural and musical heritage of Southeast Texas.
In 1947, Ruth became one of the first women members of the faculty at Lamar University, where she taught piano until 1953. Ruth, along with her husband Joseph, devoted their musical talents to develop the Beaumont Civic Opera and the Lamar Opera Workshop. She is still remembered for her performance of a Beethoven Piano Concerto with the Beaumont Symphony Orchestra.
In 1955, Ruth became the first organist of Trinity United Methodist Church in Beaumont. She was a guiding influence on the establishment of the traditions of worship at Trinity, including the selection of the pipe organ that was installed in the sanctuary in 1964. For over 50 years, she was the organist for weddings and special musical offerings at numerous churches throughout Southeast Texas.
In 1969, Ruth became the choir director at French High School, where she also was the faculty sponsor of the Buffalo Belles. She later taught at Wilbanks and Regina Howell Elementary Schools in Beaumont. Many of her elementary, high school, and college students carry her legacy by their appreciation and participation in the arts. In retirement, she served as an officer of the Retired Beaumont Classroom Teachers’ Association, and she served as interim organist at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.
Ruth was a devoted wife to Joseph, with whom she shared the love of music, art, and travel. She accepted and enjoyed the lifestyle of her husband’s Italian heritage, family, and friends in Southeast Texas. Ruth was an instrumental factor in Joseph’s success as an opera singer and producer of opera.
Ruth was a loving mother who encouraged her children, Ruth Ann and Michael, to achieve their goals. She also loved her daughter-in-law, Denise Truncale, and son-in-law, Larry Muse, as her own children. Her greatest enjoyment during the last 19 years of her life was the cherished time that she spent with her granddaughters, Lacey and Lauren, encouraging them always to have faith, values, and culture.
Ruth is preceeded in death by her husband of 54 years, Joseph Truncale, her parents, Homer Waldo Henderson and Maude Rhynne Henderson, her sisters, Thelma Boles, Mary Alice Gibson, Helen Henderson, and her brothers, Ryan Henderson, Morris Henderson, and Robert Henderson. She is survived by her children, Ruth Ann and Larry Muse, and Michael and Denise Truncale of Beaumont. She is survived by her grandchildren, Lacey Truncale and Lauren Truncale of Beaumont. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and childhood friend, Francis Henderson of Marshall, and numerous nephews and nieces throughout the United States.
The family wishes to express its deepest appreciation to Alicia Horn Daleo, the nurse practitioner at Preventive Medicine of Beaumont, for her unending care and love for Ruth Truncale. Also, the family wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. Andrew Aldrich, the staffs of Calder Woods, the Lucas House, and Professional Health Services.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday, April 9, 2007 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Beaumont under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 N. Major Dr., Beaumont. Interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery with Larry Muse, Andy Sims, Charles Daleo, Mike Hebert, Harold Gibson, Pete Anselmo, Jonathan Horn and Grady Horn serving as pallbearers. A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 pm till 8:00 pm Sunday evening at the mortuary.
For those wishing to remember Ruth, contributions can be made to the organ fund and music ministry at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Ave., Beaumont, Texas 77701, or Lamar University Department of Music, P.O. Box 10011, Beaumont, Texas 77710.
