Ruth Dexter Tate

Arlington, Texas – Ruth Dexter Nation Tate, a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ, passed from this life into the next one on January 26, 2024 at the age of 97. Ruth (Dexter to family and old friends) was born to Ed and Lillian Nation on February 18, 1926 in Arlington, Texas. She was the sixth of ten children. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1943 and then attended North Texas Agricultural College. In 1945, she transferred to Southern Methodist University, was a member of Mu Phi Epsilon music sorority and graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. She loved her time at SMU and often spoke of watching Doak Walker play football there. After teaching a year in Campbell, Missouri, Ruth returned to SMU and earned her Masters Degree in Music in 1950. It was during this time that she entered the state-wide Texas Federation of Music Clubs Student Composition Contest and was awarded first place for her composition.

Ruth taught public school for many years, mostly in Grand Prairie, where she also taught music. However, the special place in her heart was reserved for Sacred music. She sang in church choirs from the time she was in high school until she was almost 90. She composed church music and served as a choir director for several years. For her, music “should be made to the Glory of God.” Ruth’s musical horizon expanded when she met Gerald Tate, a voice teacher at the University of Texas at Arlington, whom she married in 1984. This led to her auditioning and being accepted into the chorus of both the Dallas Opera and the Fort Worth Opera. Through helping Gerald in his teaching, she became a voice teacher as well.

Steadfast in her faith, Ruth’s search for a closer walk with God was never ending and an inspiration to others. She loved hearing and studying Scripture, especially the Psalms. In further service to the Lord, she volunteered at the Presbyterian Medical Mission and Food Pantry. Ruth remained active throughout her life. She enjoyed traveling, having been to Europe several times, was a regular at the Abilene YMCA for over twenty-five years, and at the time of her death was living independently and still driving. As a child of the Depression, Ruth was frugal in her spending and having lived through World War II, she maintained a profound love for her country. Belonging to a large extended family was a source of joy for Ruth. She loved family gatherings where people could sit and visit, usually over coffee and cake.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Ed and Lillian Nation, her siblings Margaret, Virginia, William, Fay, Edward (E.G.), Joe, Richard, and Donna Sharon. She is survived by her son, Charles Rice and wife Melissa of Abilene, brother David Nation, and nineteen nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services for Ruth will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of the Good Shepard Methodist, 2020 S. Collins St., Arlington, Texas. Services are under the direction of the Wade Family Funeral Home. A reception will follow for family and friends to sit and visit, as she loved to do. The date of interment at the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery is to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the University of Texas at Arlington Department of Music – Vocal Arts Scholarship.