Dorothy Ruth Tarkington Appelt, 95, of Hallettsville, passed away September 26, 2013. She was born on March 29, 1918, to John Brady Tarkington and Hollie Garner Tarkington. Two and a half years later, she became "big Sis" to brother Jim. They grew up on an 80 acre farm just south of Hallettsville, Texas, where they grew cotton, corn, and a few tomatoes.

When the work was done, reading and music often filled the evenings. Daddy played the fiddle, Mother played the piano, Aunt Deet sang, and the McElroy family down the road delighted in hosting musical get-togethers. It was Bunt McElroy Strode who gave Ruth piano lessons. At the early age of five, Ruth appeared on stage at the Hallettsville Opera House and sang "I've Got a Pain in My Sawdust," while she held a dolly and lamented the hole in her dolly's body. Her voice and piano skills became great assets. She sang and/or played at numerous weddings and served as choir director for First Baptist Church for more than thirty years. Their annual Christmas cantatas became a community tradition.

The importance of education was another value learned at an early age. Her grandfather, Ed Tarkington, became acquainted with the college in San Marcos while he was serving in Austin, and he wanted his children and grandchildren to attend. Thus, despite the Depression and her very young age of 15, Ruth (and later her brother Jim) attended South Texas Normal Institute known today as Texas State University. After one year she obtained a teaching certificate and began her teaching career at Floy. She later taught at Witting and Sweet Home.

After teaching a few years, Ruth began dating Ferdie Appelt who had just returned from a year of business school in Tyler, Texas, and taken a position with Peoples State Bank. On Dec. 10, 1940, they were married in Houston, Texas. Two baby girls soon followed—Carolyn Ruth and Marilyn Dianne. When these girls neared college age, Ruth went back to college herself to prepare for a career in social work at the State Dept. of Human Resources in Hallettsville.

As a social worker, Ruth had the opportunity to help many families in need in Lavaca County. Even in recent years, she was remembered by these families. Occasionally, while running errands, someone would approach her on the street and remind her of the help she gave to him/her.

When Ferdie died in 1974, Ruth became a widow at age 55. Her life was still busy. She became a member of the Board of Directors of Peoples State Bank and took an interest in business. She continued to lead the music program in her church and began to teach a Bible study class. She enjoyed travel, so she visited the northwestern and northeastern parts of the U.S. along with Hawaii, Europe, and the Holy Land.

When she retired from work in 1978, she lovingly gave time to her grandchildren: Hollie Brooks Dickens, Geoffrey Brooks, and Brady Gillar. To them she was simply "Granmom," but to her community she was a great musician, a great teacher, a great lady who walked with the Lord. Her friends and family will sorely miss her.

Survivors: 2 daughters, Carolyn Appelt and Dianne Appelt; brother Jim Tarkington; 3 grandchildren, Hollie Brooks Dickens, Geoffrey Brooks, and Brady Gillar; and 4 great grandchildren.

Funeral Service: 2 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2013 at First Baptist Church of Hallettsville. Visitation: 4 pm, Monday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Officiates: Rev. Terry Horton and Rev. Dwight Reagan. Pallbearers: Brady Gillar, Johnny Smolik, David Smolik, Bob Edwards, Joe Clark, and Edward Thompson, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are Peoples State Bank Directors; Michael A. Bozka, Frank H. Migl, Samuel P. Pruett, Stanley Bujnoch, Jr., Robert J. Pesek, Gregory Shimek, Vernell Bozka, Barbara Koehne, Debra Smirak Technik, Harold G.Dolezal, and Roman J. Shimek. Memorials (in lieu of flowers): First Baptist Church of Hallettsville. Burial: Hallettsville City Cemetery.