Georgia Kelley Rusek

Georgia Kelley Rusek January 21, 1932 - July 29, 2012 Georgia Ann Kelley Rusek of Waco, passed away Sunday, July 29, 2012 at her home after a valiant battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Resurrection will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, August 4, at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Rev. John M. Guzaldo officiating. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 3, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Georgia was born January 21, 1932 in Diboll, Texas, to Clifton Kelley and Mabel Hogue Kelley. A vivacious redhead first by the grace of God and later by the grace of hair dye, she was raised in Texas along with her brother, Hugh Kelley. Anyone who knew Georgia knows she was smart as a whip and wouldn't be surprised to hear that she was valedictorian of Beaumont High School, graduating in 1949. She then headed to Scott & White School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1954, before going to work at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. Just before graduating from nursing school, Georgia married the love of her life, Walter John Rusek. They had three children, whom Georgia proudly endowed with her intelligence, humor, work ethic and love for life: Angie, Peter and John. The family lived in Woodville, where Georgia worked as a school nurse for many years, before taking up residence in Waco in 1970. After retirement, Georgia continued to generously care for and give to those around her, not only to her children, but to the neighborhood kids, her grandchildren, and anyone else in need of love, support and good humor. She was also generous with her quilts, homegrown vegetables and advice on how to get rid of pecan stealing squirrels. In December 2003, Georgia and Walter polkaed the night away with family and friends to celebrate 50 years of living and loving. Walter passed away in 2007, but true to form, Georgia soldiered on, continuing to travel, garden, enjoy her Friday lunch bunch and quilt like no one has quilted before. Though her children's exploits kept her busy, Georgia was active in her church and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She was a charter member of the Homespun Quilters Guild in Waco, and a feverish contributor to the Quilts from the Heart Group at St. Louis Catholic Church, who worked making quilts for those in need. Indeed, Georgia's loving personality will live on in the quilts scattered around the country that she has given to fortunate friends, loved ones and people she'd never even met. The rainbow of fabric swatches, quilts, and ribbons adorning her quilting room, are not only a testament to her warmth, creativity, dedication and liveliness, but a symbol of the colorful person everyone knew her to be. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Walter. She is survived by her daughter, Angela Hammond; her sons, Peter Rusek and wife, Robbye, and John Rusek and wife, Dawn, all of Waco; and grandchildren, Mary Beth, Walter, Christopher, Rebecca, Cliff and Clay Rusek, and Rachel Barski. Pallbearers are grandsons, Christopher Rusek, Cliff Rusek, Clay Rusek, Walter Rusek, nephews, Joey Kelley and Kelley Kelley. The family wishes to give special thanks to Marlene and Jennifer of Visiting Angels for their love and care for Georgia. Memorials may be made to Friends for Life, Meals On Wheels or Reicher Catholic High School. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.