Bullard

Mrs. Charlie Ruth Hagen Bullard, 99, of Pittsburg, passed away Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Castroville, Texas. She was born Feb. 10, 1919 to Charles Augusta and Pearl Hicks Hagen in Winnsboro, Texas.

After graduating from Leesburg High School, Charlie Ruth attended East Texas State Teachers College while working as a nurse. After college graduation as a business major, she briefly taught school before enlisting in the WAVES (Women Branch of the US Naval Reserve) during WWII. Hoping to see the world, Charlie Ruth only ended up stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Returning to Pittsburg after the war, she married Theodore Jefferson Bullard in 1946, and remained happily married until his death in 1970.

The Christian beliefs practiced by Charlie Ruth and Ted have lived on in their three children, Belvin, Bette, and Brian. The family also enjoyed many memorable, eventful, and comedic vacations from Florida to California. Charlie Ruth was employed as secretary to the PISD school superintendent and later taught here until her retirement.

As a child she was given the choice by “Ma Pearl” to either work in the family cotton fields or master the piano. She never regretted choosing the piano, and it became her constant companion to the end of her life.

For decades she played the piano at First Baptist Church Pittsburg, and then went on to play at Newsome Baptist Church into her 90’s. She was a founding member of The Silver Threads who played at nursing homes throughout East Texas. She was active in the Pioneer Club and volunteered at The Farmstead Museum.

Charlie Ruth was a passionate gardener. A crowning achievement was winning Yard of the Month. Sharing cuttings of her plants gave her great pleasure. She loved gifting her friends with her famous peanut brittle and caramel pie.

She is survived by her children: Bette Bullard Wooten and husband Tad of Hondo, Texas; Brian Bullard of Milan, Italy; Martha McNutt Bullard of Buna, Texas; five grandchildren: Kristi Bullard Nolan, Angela Bullard Bruce, April Wooten, Trey Wooten, and Phoenix Bullard, five great-grandchildren: Sarah Bruce, Lauren Bruce, Joslynn Wooten, Shelby Stanley, and Hagen Nichols; and one great-great-grandchild, Berkley Blacksher.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Theodore Bullard, and her son Belvin Ted Bullard.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Pittsburg with burial at Leesburg Cemetery in Leesburg. Visitation was held one hour before the service beginning at 9 a.m. at the church.

Donations may be made in her memory to your choice of the following:

Ted Bullard Scholarship Fund C/O Martha Bullard P.O. Box 388 Buna, Texas 77612, Leesburg Cemetery Association P.O. Box 38 Leesburg, Texas 75451, or Newsome Baptist Church 65 CR 3516 Leesburg, Texas 75451.