Notes for Mildred Ellen * Seele: From: The National Parliamentarian, August 1960
Mrs. Ralph Rupley of Houston, Texas, passed away May 7, 1960 in Dallas, Texas, where she was attending the convention of the Texas State Association of Parliamentarians.
She was Chairman of the Bylaws Committee for the State Association; parliamentarian for the Houston Council of Parliamentarians; Vice-president of the Iota Unit, composed of registered parliamentarians; a member of Episilon and Theta Kappa sigma Units, and the Parliamentary Law Club. She had served the State Association as treasurer, and the Council and units in many capacities. She had written many drills to be used for progress and instruction, and served on a committee to outline lessons for class stud
Mrs. Rupley was a well known religious and civic leader. She was a dearly beloved and devoted member who will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph Rupley, two sons, Ralph Rupley, Jr., and Robert Seele Rupley, all of Houston; a daughter, Mrs. Betty Ruth Allen of Mobile, Alabama; seven grandchildren, a sister, and a brother.
Mildred got married in her family home in San Antonio. She came down the stairs in her white bridal gown while her piano teacher, Mr. Steinfeldt played the piano. To get him to play for her wedding, she had to play for him in his recital.
She was Second Reader in Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, Houston, for three years. She belonged to about five garden clubs and to the Houston Federation of Women's clubs. __________
On LaBranch Street, Mildred had a sleeping porch out toward the back of the house, where all five family members would sleep on hot summer nights. When the frogs in the backyard pond got too loud, Ralph would go out and catch all the frogs in a bucket and take them to the corner to dump them in the storm drain. However, in the morning there would be many pearls of frog eggs in the pond, which would in due course become tadpoles.
One day Mildred and Ralph brought 3 Muscovy ducks from San Antonio, a drake and two hens. The Drake was named Donald. They had many baby ducks. Mr. Limpy was one of the offspring. The backyard was full of ducks. Finally, Mildred grew tired of the ducks, and they were prepared and frozen. The children were always concerned when duck was served for Sunday dinner that they might be eating Mr. Limpy.
Downstairs in the home was a sunroom with windows all around. There at the piano Ralph would sing tenor, while Mildred played and sang soprano. There were canaries in a cage in the sunroom. They would sing sweetly, and had a family of baby birds. For Ralph Jr. there were acquariums of tropical fish in the windows of the sunroom.
Mildred always had her apron on in the house. She spent a lot of time working in the garden. She had a beautiful garden. She would have neighbors over for garden parties. She would have watermelon parties in the summer for all the neighbors. She had a beautiful garden which included a pretty white arch appropriate for weddings and garden parties.
Mildred was a teacher of Parliamentary Law, which she had learned from being in many women's clubs.
The homes on the street were all brick, with large front porches. The neighbors would sit on their front porches in the evenings.
The family would go to church every Sunday downtown, to the Christian Science Church.
Mildred helped Ralph quite a bit with the Rupley store. For example, she was in charge of the cosmetic and jewelry departments in the downtown store. They enjoyed going together to the Houston symphony. ____________ Favorite song my grandmother Mildred taught to me (Mildred Janet Allen "I like the green that spring will wear. I like the blue that summer can share. I like the bronze of early fall, But snow flakes best of all.
"I like the pink when day's begun. I like high noon all golden with sun. I like the shade of rosy grey, When twilight ends the day."
More About Mildred Ellen * Seele: Comment 1: 1949, lived at Pine Lake Farm (5 years). Comment 2: Lived at Warwick hotel, & on Bryn Marr Ln.. Comment 3: worked at Rupley store, cosmetics & jewelry. Ethnicity/Relig.: Christian Science. Event 1: Married in family home in San Antonio. Event 2: Jun 1918, Mr. Steinfeldt played in her wedding. Occupation: Homemaker, mother of 3. Personality/Intrst: Pianist, Garden clubs, Parliamentary law, singing. Residence: 1930, 5504 La Branch, Houston, TX.
More About Mildred Ellen * Seele and Ralph Campbell * Rupley: Marriage: 01 Jun 1918, San Antonio, TX. Unknown-Ending: Married in her home in San Antonio.
Children of Mildred Ellen * Seele and Ralph Campbell * Rupley are:
Mildred Ellen * Seele (b. 14 Apr 1898, d. 07 May 1960)
Notes for Mildred Ellen * Seele: