Page 8 ~ THE VILLAGER/January 29, 2021 THE DISPATCH www.theaustinvillager.com In Loving Memory of Drucie Rucker Chase

Our treasured Drucie Raye Rucker Chase de- discussing the history of her home. Drucie was quick parted this life on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 and to point out that while she was thrilled with the was reunited with her husband, John Saunders accolades for design, foremost, it was a warm, lov- Chase, and her eldest son, John Saunders Chase Jr. ing, and vibrant home for her family. Drucie was born on August 4, 1931 in Austin, Drucie frequently remarked that she had a Texas. She was the second oldest child of Beatrice great life. She was blessed in so many ways. She Aldridge Rucker and John Rucker. Drucie attended traveled the world with her husband, family and L.C. Anderson High School and graduated from friends. She hosted exciting fundraisers, political re- Huston Tillotson University with a B.A. in English at ceptions and social events at their Third Ward home, 19 years old. While attending the wedding of a good designed by her late husband. In later years, they friend, fate brought Drucie and John together when spent more time at their home in Galveston and John was asked to stand in for a groomsman who when she wasn’t there, she was often cheering on couldn’t attend at the last minute. John asked her her grandkids at various events from graduations out several times, but Drucie said she would not go to music recitals and numerous sporting events. out with him until he met her father. The two men Drucie is survived by her son Tony Chase and bonded over baseball and Drucie’ s father gave his his wife Dina al Sowayel; daughter Saundria Chase overwhelming approval. Soon after, the young Gray and her husband Jerome Gray; daughter-in- couple was married. This happy union lasted for 62 law Brenda Peters Chase; grandchildren Asa Davis, years until John’s death in 2012. Chase Gray, Jordan Chase, Grace Gray and Abyssinia Although Drucie was a gifted teacher, because (“Kat”) Chase; her sister, Johnnie B. Rucker Van Dyke she was only 19 and not 21, she had to seek special Drucie Rucker Chase and many other loving relatives. She was preceded permission to teach elementary school. Although August 4, 1931-January 19, 2021 in death by her husband John Saunders Chase, son professional accreditation was normally not permit- John Saunders Chase III, parents, sister Bernice ted until the age of 21, Drucie was granted the right tion Park Conservancy and Houston Museum of Hammond and brother John Rucker. to teach. She became a devoted teacher at African American Culture. She was a proud mem- Reverend Art Lou McElroy, Interim Pastor Blackshear Elementary in Austin and Grimes and ber of several organizations including the Houston Antioch Missionary Baptist Church presided over a Dodson elementary schools in Houston. After she Chapter of the Links, where she once served as private Celebration of Life. The interment was at retired from teaching, Drucie dedicated herself to Chapter President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Jack the Houston National Cemetery, where she was laid raising her three children and assisting her husband & Jill and a charter member of The Moles. She was to rest with her husband. The service was in growing his architecture firm. John frequently also a devoted member of Antioch Missionary Bap- livestreamed, Tuesday, January 26. 2021 on https:/ referred to her as the “wind beneath my sails.” In tist for almost 70 years. A week before her passing /m.facebook.com/antiochdowntownhouston/ addition, she distinguished herself as a hardworking she was determined to visit the Houston Botanic In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial con- and compassionate community volunteer. Garden. Off we went and her face lit up the minute tributions may be directed toward the UNCF John and Drucie was appointed to serve on the boards we entered the Gardens. Her happiness was pal- Drucie Chase Young Builders Award. www.uncf.org/ of the Municipal Arts Commission and the Institute pable as we toured the site. She was proud to be a donatehouston (in honor of Mrs. Drucie Chase) or for International Education. She also served on the part of its creation. Soon after, she was a panelist in mail a check to UNCF, 945 McKinney Street, Suite 581, boards of the Houston Botanic Garden, Emancipa- a University of Texas/Rice Design Alliance webinar Houston, TX 77002. Baseball Gathers Behind Home Plate To Honor Hammerin' Hank ATLANTA (AP) — By PAUL NEWBERRY | AP Sports Writer dominating pitchers Brian Snitker choked such as Sandy Koufax, back tears as he remem- Bob Gibson and Juan bered ’s af- Marichal — if he was fection for those who ever intimidated at the didn’t possess his unpar- plate. alleled talent on the “He said, ‘Chipper, baseball field. I fear no man when I During his post- have a bat in my hand,'” playing career running Jones said, breaking into the farm a smile. system, the Hammer “His swing, his had a penchant for look- smile, his spirit,” Jones ing beyond the can’t- said. “They were all miss prospects. beautiful.” “He always wanted A private funeral to move a player up, and service for Aaron will be he preferred that it held Wednesday. He will wasn’t the so-called bo- be buried at historic nus babies,” said Snitker, South-View Cemetery, who has managed the the city’s oldest Black Braves since 2016 and cemetery, where he will got his start in the dug- be interred alongside out thanks to Aaron. “He civil rights leaders such wanted to get that as John Lewis, Julian grinder guy, the guy who Atlanta Braves Chairman Terry McGuirk speaks during "A Celebration of Henry Louis Aaron," a memorial Bond and Martin Luther was overachieving.” service celebrating the life and enduring legacy of the late Hall of Famer and American icon, on Tuesday, King Jr. Snitker was among Jan. 26, 2021, at in Atlanta. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves via AP Pool) The Braves plan to those who spoke Tues- honor Aaron during the day at a memorial ser- Baseball Hall of Famers stood — on and off the said, pausing to maintain “Hank was very in- upcoming season. vice honoring Aaron, John Smoltz and Tom field — above all others.” his composure. strumental in me be- McGuirk announced the who died last week from Glavine, one-time Aaron Most of the re- Snitker toiled in mi- coming an Atlanta first of those initiatives: natural causes at the age teammate and current membrances focused on nor league obscurity Brave,” Jones said. “The a $1 million donation to of 86. Aaron’s humbleness and through most of his room of Braves decision- establish the Henry Baseball Commis- , reigning the impact he made af- coaching and managing makers was split on who Louis Aaron Fund, which sioner Rob Manfred, Hall MVP ter retiring as a player in career before finally get- they were going to take will work to increase mi- of Famer , and 1976. Few spoke about ting the call to become with their first pick. As nority participation and former Braves out- former Braves great Dale him being the one who Braves skipper at age 60. legendary scout Paul among players, manag- fielder Marquis Grissom Murphy, who captured famously eclipsed Babe Since then, he has Snyder once told me, ers, coaches and front- were among those who back-to-back MVP Ruth’s home run record, guided the team to three the vote came around to office personnel. spoke at the ceremony, awards in the 1980s. or the unprecedented, straight NL East titles, Hank. He paused, looked That was an issue which was held before a Aaron’s famed No. two-decade-long run of earning NL Manager of at everybody in the that Aaron took a keen small, socially distanced 44 was painted in the sustained excellence the Year honors in 2018. room, and he said, ‘Y’all issue in throughout his crowd — including dormant grass of center that helped him estab- “I’ll miss the times better draft that Jones life. He often criticized Aaron’s widow, Billye, field. Braves Chairman lish several other marks he used to stop by, come boy.’ I’ll never forget the lack of Black manag- and other family mem- Terry McGuirk noted the that still stand today. by my office and we that. That comment ers and general manag- bers — on the concourse unseasonably warm Snitker remem- could just sit and talk,” must’ve carried some ers in Major League directly behind home January weather — the bered being a non- Snitker said. “I’ll miss the weight.” Baseball. He fretted plate at Truist Park. temperature climbed descript minor leaguer friend and the mentor Van Poppel didn’t fewer African-Ameri- The remarks were into the upper 60s — as who got a shot at an- that I had in my life.” do much in the big cans were playing the delivered in an exhibit a sign from above hon- other calling when Jones recalled how leagues, finishing with a game. known as Monument oring one of the game’s Aaron offered him his Aaron pushed the 40-52 record. Jones The Braves dona- Garden, which promi- greatest icons. first managing job in Braves to select him with spent his entire career tion will be matched by nently features a statue Noting the 10 Base- 1982 with the Anderson No. 1 overall pick in the with the Braves and was $500,000 apiece from of Aaron delivering the ball of Famers who have Braves, a team in the 1990 amateur draft, inducted into both MLB and the play- swing that produced 755 died in the past year, Class A Sally League. when many considered Cooperstown in 2018. ers’ association. homers. Manfred said Aaron “be- “The reason I’m pitcher Todd Van Poppel Jones said he once Others sent video- longs on our sport’s here today is because of to be the leading pros- asked Aaron — who taped tributes, including Mount Rushmore. He Hank Aaron,” Snitker pect. played in an era with