Mildred W. Rudd

Mildred W. Rudd, 84, died Thursday, August 2, 2007 in Midland, Texas at the Hospice Inpatient Unit after an extended battle with breast cancer. Mildred was born on December 16, 1922 in Fredonia, Texas to Laura Bradshaw Kinman and Willie Kinman. As a child and young adult, she lived in several Texas cities including Alpine and Pecos. In 1950 she met her future husband, Neil Rudd in Pecos. They were married on January 29, 1951 and remained happily married for 30 years until they were parted by Neil's death in 1981. Mildred and Neil lived in Big Spring, Texas their entire married life where Neil owned and operated a swimming pool business, Holiday Pools, and Mildred worked for Southwestern Bell Telephone as a manager in charge of operator services. After 35 years of employment, she retired in 1978.After retirement, Mildred passionately and lovingly spent most of her time enriching the lives of her 3 children and grandchildren. She loved sewing for her family, creating unique crafts, reading (especially the Mitford series which she read and re-read more times than can be remembered), and cooking. Eventually, she relocated to Lawrence, Kansas where she lived with her youngest daughter. In 2004 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and in December 2006 after her illness reached a terminal status, she moved to Midland, Texas to spend her final days with her two oldest daughters. Mildred was preceded in death by her husband Neil A. Rudd who died in 1981, and all of her siblings and both parents. She is survived by her three children, Priscilla Horn of Frisco, Texas, Cathey Roman of Midland, Texas, and Cindy Herington of Lawrence, Kansas; seven grandchildren Jeffrey Roman, Jeremy Antley, Sarah Horn West, Jennifer Roman, Rachel Horn Gardner, Trey Herington, and Amanda Herington; and one great-grandson, Kaden West. Pallbearers will be her beloved grandsons Jeffrey Roman, Denton, Texas; Jeremy Antley and Trey Herington, Lawrence, Kansas; her two cherished grandson in-laws Nick West, Hurst, Texas and Jason Gardner, Bedford, Texas; and adored friend Jason Jobe, Lubbock, Texas. The family will receive friends from 5:00 6:00 pm, Sunday, August 5, 2007 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory, 3800 N Big Spring Street in Midland. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, August 6, 2007 at Kelview Heights Baptist Church. Jerry Berry, pastor of Kelview Heights and Vickie Bucy, volunteer clergy for Hospice of Midland will officiate the service. Interment will immediately follow at Trinity Memorial Park, Big Spring, Texas.In an effort to increase awareness and find a cure for breast cancer, Mildred, along with her family, suggest contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, PO Box 224523, Dallas, TX, 75222-4523 or www.komen.org.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,