RUTH POPELKA
1925-2021
Ruth Fletcher Popelka, age 96 died peacefully at the home of her daughter Rosemary Buckner surrounded by family on October 8, 2021. Born in Houston on June 16, 1925, the second of 9 children to parents Anna Filla Fletcher and Frank Henry Fletcher. Preceded in death by her husband Ernest John Popelka, sisters; Helen Gordon, Sr. Marietta Fletcher (Barbara) O.P., and Judy Fletcher. After graduating from Saint Agnes Academy in 1942 Ruth worked for the Western Union Telegraph Co as a teletypist and was promoted to Branch Manager at the Southern Pacific Railway office of Western Union.Ruth and Ernest were married in 1948 at Christ the King Catholic Church and lived in the home Ernest built for his bride until his passing in 2011. They raised 4 daughters and Ruth enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader, and attending the many activities her girls had at St. Pius X H.S.. They were lifelong friends with the “Poker Group” for over 70 years. Ruth was a member of All Saints Church and joined their Third Age Learning Center in 1986 where she volunteered to teach crochet and other crafts. She learned hula there and danced with the Pau Lani Dancers for 22 years. She found time to help everyone she knew. Her acts of kindness were many and often, taking friends to doctor appointments and arriving with little batches of flowers she picked from her garden. Ruth loved everyone and everyone loved her. Ruth is survived by her 4 devoted daughters: Karen, widow of Marshall Honey Jr., Jane and husband W. Craig Kirk, Shirley and husband L. Craig Williams, Rosemary and husband Chris Buckner; grandchildren: Jacob Honey (Maria), Audrey Honey Thomasson (John), Mitchell Honey (Lynsey), Kimberly Kirk (Michael Brannon), Colleen Kirk (Justin Ware), Jessica Williams Yerdon (Mark), Alicia Williams (Kevin Joyce), Lauren Williams Darby (Patrick), Daniel Buckner (Ashley), and Clair Buckner Primm (Ryan); 9 great-grandchildren: Isabella and Miriam Honey, Grant and Ian Thomasson, Eli and Ava Primm, Brooks and Sloane Buckner, and James Patrick Darby III; Brothers: John, Jerome, James, and Joseph Fletcher, and sister Mickie Krolczyk.
Visitation with family will be 5-7pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 followed by a Rosary at 7pm at Heights Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 21, 2021 at 10:00am at All Saints Catholic Church, 215 E. 10th St., Houston, 77008. The Right Reverend Monsignor Adam McClosky to officiate. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.