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Katharine Billings Siege
Born in St. Paul, MN on Jun. 2, 1931
Died Jun. 13, 2003 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Thursday Jun. 19, 2003
Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary
Katie passed on Friday, June 13, 2003. Her passing has been sudden and although as a family we are grief stricken, we are relieved that she did not have to suffer and that she was able to continue to meet life on her own terms.
Her life was filled with compassionate and loving acts. She was fun loving and had an incredibly creative, spiritual soul. Her loss will be deeply felt by her family as well as those who knew her as the proprietor of Katie’s Kitchen at Artisan’s Alley.
Katie took a circuitous route before becoming a 30-year citizen of San Antonio. Katie was born to Dr. Paul and Marjorie Davies in Chicago, Illinois on June 2, 1931. She grew up in Chalmer’s Place at McCormick Seminary. She would often recall fond memories of time spent with her brother Paul playing around Chalmer’s Place.
She attended Francis Parker School graduating in 1949 at which time she headed east to begin her studies at Smith College. After four years of intense friendship building, she graduated from Smith, and began concentrating on her art studies. She then spent time studying at the Brooklyn Museum of Art and earned a Master of Fine Arts from Yale.
Katie was well loved by her family and friends. She was often endearingly referred to as Kutts or Kuttsie. While growing up, she shared many wonderful summer moments with her family at Lake Hubert, Minnesota, and at Cape Cod. She traveled to Europe with her parents. Katie was married
to John Siege on September 5, 1959, in Chicago.
This was such an act of faith, love, and compassion, because she immediately assumed the responsibility of motherhood to John’s three children, Debbie, David, and Steve. Due to John’s military commitment as a chaplain, she also accepted the responsibilities that went along with her role as a chaplain’s wife. The transient nature of her new life was soon apparent as the family was moved to Germany, and then Italy.
The family thrived in Europe and Katie in particular was deeply delighted by the opportunities to see the cultures and the art. Successive moves included stints in New York, Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, and finally Texas.
While in El Paso, she earned her certification as an art teacher and when moving to San Antonio briefly taught in Head Start and at the middle school level. However, Katie’s real interests besides her family, began to coalesce around collecting and then visually setting up displays that would capture the hearts of others. That led to experimenting with auctions and collecting which she parlayed into a business, Coffee Mill Antiques.
When an opportunity arose at Artisans Alley, her work shifted, and she opened Katie’s Kitchen. The last 16 year have seen her shop and the people with whom she worked as the focus of her life. She has been honored to be part of so many of the lives of the folks who work at the Alley. Those who have worked with her have been so supportive of her. Close friendships have provided much joy. Katie was known as a collector of antiques, especially carousel animals She had a marvelous eye.
She loved being with her friends and family and would proudly share stories of her shop friends with her family and likewise do the same with her shop friends. We all loved her sense of whimsy.
Katie is survived by her three children Deborah Budnik and husband, Gary, of Ann Arbor, Michigan; David and wife, Betty, of San Antonio; and son Steven and wife Paige of Lubbock; grandchildren Cathy, Carrie, Chris, Debbie, Heather, Ashley, Carley, and Cody. Survivors also include her brother Paul Davies of Chicago and her brother in law Harden Smith, of Kensington, Maryland, and nephews Chris and Peter Smith, Kenny Davies, and niece, Tika Walsh.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister, Midge. She will be remembered as a Nana who would encourage her grandchildren to be inquisitive, daring, and confident in their abilities. She thrived on being around young people.
She will be remembered as a Nana who would encourage her grandchildren to be inquisitive, daring, and confident in their abilities. She thrived on being around young people.
Ernest Richard Ruffo
Born in San Antonio, TX on May. 12, 1918
Died Jun. 11, 2003 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
Visitation: Thursday Jun. 12, 2003
ROSARY: Thursday Jun. 12, 2003
Service: Friday Jun. 13, 2003
Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary
cemetery: FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL cemetery
Ernest Ruffo, born on May 12, 1918 of San Antonio, passed away on 11th of June 2003 following a lengthy illness.
He was one of seven brothers and sisters. Ernest played high school football at Sidney Lanier High School and graduated in 1937. He enlisted in the US Army where he served as a paratrooper during the war and was honorably discharged in 1946. Ernest went to work for the Civil Service at Kelly Field and retired after 30 years. Mr. Ruffo was very active as a Boy Scout Troop Leader and worked tirelessly with the North Central Lions Club. He was a member of the Christopher Columbus Italian Society and San Francesco DiPaola Catholic Church Mens Club, the San Francescani Society and was a passionate deer hunter.
His son, Ernest “Sonny” Ruffo, Jr., his brothers Roxy and Carmelo and sisters Rosy Risica, Sylvia Martinez, and Adeline Rosenkrantz preceded him in death.
Ernest is survived by; his loving wife Bertha of 64 years, his daughters Carolyn Steiner, Sandi Ruffo and Vencie Ruffo, 5 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, sister Vencie Bordano, sister-in-law Betty Ruffo, numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
Special thanks to the loving staff at Morningside Manor, Alzheimer’s unit.
Walter Edward Harrison
Born in Houston, Texas on Jan. 27, 1924
Died Jun. 11, 2003 and resided in Spring Branch, TX.
Graveside Service: Saturday Jun. 14, 2003
Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary North
cemetery: Forest Park Lawndale
Walter Edward Harrison, age 79, was born in Houston on January 27, 1924. He entered into final rest on Wednesday, June 11, 2003, in Spring Branch, north of San Antonio.
He grew up as an avid sports fan in Houston, graduated from Lamar High School, and attended T.C.U. in Ft. Worth on a football scholarship. His college studies were interrupted by World War II, but he went on to complete his BS degree in geology from T.C.U. in 1948.
He served his country during World War II as a Staff Sgt. in the 811 Tank Destroyer Battalion attached to General Patton’s 3rd Army. He participated in the Battle of the Bulge and several other major battles in the European Theatre of Operations, which earned him 4 gold battle stars. He was also awarded the Purple Heart, and his Unit was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation.
After the war, he was employed by Humble Oil and Refining Company (now EXXON) as a field geologist. He was a past member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), the Southside Lions Club of Corpus Christi, the American Legion, First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi (for over 40 years), and most recently, a member of Parkhills Baptist Church in San Antonio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd Harrison and Dora McGuire Harrison; brother, Lloyd, all of Houston; and sister, Florence Sharer, of Sacramento, CA.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Miriam; four children: son, Wayne, daughter, Shannon McBurney, son, Keith, daughter, Karen Drummond and their respective spouses. He had seven grandchildren, Shannon Harrison and Sarah Loveless of Corpus Christi, Kelli Drummond and Erin Drummond of Brenham, Leigh Harrison and Holly Harrison of Conroe, and Layne Harrison of San Diego, CA. He had one great grandson, Nathaniel Ramirez of Corpus Christi. He is also survived by several nephews, nieces and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelical Crusade, the American Heart Association, or the American Cancer Society.
Sara Elizabeth Davis
Born in Nashville, Tennessee on Dec. 26, 1920
Died Jun. 3, 2003 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
Visitation: Friday Jun. 6, 2003 & Saturday Jun. 7, 2003
Service: Saturday Jun. 7, 2003
Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary
cemetery: Ft. Sam Houston National cemetery
Sara Elizabeth Hughey Davis peacefully went to be with the Lord on June 3, 2003.
She was born December 26, 1920 to Mildred and George Hughey in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sara was a greeter for University Park Baptist Church, having been a member since 1952, and served as a faithful prayer warrior.
She was also a USAA retiree.
preceded in death in 1987 by her husband of 49 years, Dudley H. Davis and brother, Clyde Hughey, she is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Larry Cannon; grandchildren, Christi Cannon-Westbrook and Michael and Laura Cannon and great granddaughter, Clarissa Westbrook. Also, sisters, Margaret Rose and Betty Spalding of Nashville, Tennessee.
Ladelle Meier
Born in Lampasas County, Tx on Jan. 21, 1909
Died Jun. 10, 2003 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
Spurgeon Hart Neel, Jr.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee on Sep. 24, 1919
Died Jun. 6, 2003 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
Service: Tuesday Jun. 10, 2003
Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary
cemetery: Ft. Sam Houston National cemetery
Major General Spurgeon H. Neel, Jr. (US Army Ret.), age 83, of San Antonio, TX passed away on June 6, 2003, after a long illness.
General Neel was born September 24, 1919 in Memphis, Tennessee.
He completed his pre-medical studies at Memphis State University and graduated from The University of Tennessee School of Medicine in 1942.
He entered the U.S. Army in 1943 and served as an Army medical officer until 1977. He received a MPH from Harvard University in 1958 and a MSBA from George Washington University in 1965.
General Neel devoted his career to the advancement of Military Aviation Medicine. Known as the "Father of Army Aviation Medicine", he was instrumental in the development of a system for rapid evacuation of the wounded using helicopters that now extends to the civilian community.
He served combat tours during World War II, Korea and twice in Vietnam, paving the way for the “Dustoff” Program for medical evacuation.
General Neel was one of the most highly decorated Army medical officers.
He was inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame in 1976. General Neel moved to San Antonio in 1973 to become the first Commanding General of the Health Services Command.
After retiring in 1977, he became Professor in Occupational and Aerospace Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center.
He was Medical Director of USAA and served on the Board of Directors at Eisenhower National Bank for 10 years.
General Neel devoted his recent years to all aspects of the Army Medical Department Museum.
He resided at the Army Residence Community and attended St. David’s Episcopal Church. He was a modest man, known for his personal resolve and can-do attitude with a wonderful dry sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Spurgeon Hart Neel and Leola Pearl Neel. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Alice T. Neel; His son, Spurgeon H. Neel, III, Atlanta, GA; daughter, Dr. Leah Neel Zartarian and husband Dr. Gary Zartarian, Falmouth, MA; his niece, Diane D. Neel; and her friend, Sheila Smith, Nashville, TN; grandchildren, Patrick Neel, Orlando, FL, Gregory and Geoffrey Zartarian, Falmouth, MA.
Aubrey R. Johnson
Born in Sioux City, Iowa on Sep. 14, 1924
Died Jun. 5, 2003 and resided in San Antonio, TX.
Visitation: Monday Jun. 9, 2003
Service: Tuesday Jun. 10, 2003
Funeral Home: Porter Loring Mortuary North
cemetery: Mission Burial Park South
Aubrey R. Johnson age 78, went to be with our Lord on June 5, 2003. He is survived by his loving wife or 53 years, Harriett; daughters, Patricia and Kathryn, three grandchildren, Aimee, Donald and Lacey; two great-grandchildren, Faith and Lí and his sister Margie Vanderpool. He was a long time member of Asbury Methodist Church and spent a life long career as a masonry contractor. Aubrey will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched.
