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It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Ruth F. McArthur, wife of Craig Childs.
Please keep Craig and their family in your thoughts & prayers.
RUTH F. MCARTHUR Obituary
Ruth McArthur, devoted wife, mother, sister, and grannie passed away peacefully on Monday, September 22, 2025 at the age of 67. She was a nurturing soul who cared for people, pets and the environment. Always ready to share an adventure, she had a grand and sometimes wicked sense of humor.
Born and raised in Tallahassee, Ruth lived all over the country - from New Orleans to New York City, to Memphis, Houston, and Georgia, eventually settling in San Antonio and Boerne, Texas. Her latest adventure with her husband Craig was moving to Boston to be near her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.
In high school, she was a talented saxophone player. She carried this talent into adulthood as a somewhat regular participant in local community music group JP Honk. She was a lifelong Presbyterian, and sang in the choir.
She was a lifelong reader, and got her baby brother interested in The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, and One Hundred Years of Solitude. She enjoyed going door-to-door singing Christmas carols with the neighborhood group, and in college, she worked at the restaurant Frisch's Big Boy.
Always generous with her time, she spent much of her days volunteering for organizations that served the greater good. Everything from the PTA and Girl Scout troop leader, to the League of Women Voters, Mass Audubon, and Community Servings. She was a natural when it came to working with the homeless in San Antonio. One of her proudest accomplishments was becoming a Texas Parks and Wildlife Master Naturalist.
Ruth was a writer with several published poems and books, including many self-published stories written just for her grandsons. Her Scrabble skills were unmatched - just ask her nephew. She was also an avid birder who often traveled the country with friends on birding excursions.
She adored spending time with her grandkids, who had become the center of her life. She was always available for whenever Grannie was needed,for hugs when in tears, cuddle time, and making pancakes and waffles, and was always up for helping them with various cooking and arts and crafts projects. She guided them into the world of Scrabble and Monopoly.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents Bertha McArthur and Charles McArthur and sister Katherine McArthur. Ruth is survived by her husband of 45 years Craig Childs; daughter
Meredith Sandiford; son-in-law Steven Sandiford; grandsons Luke and Charlie; sisters Anne and Carol; brothers Marshall and Sam; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A service will be held on University Lutheran Church in Cambridge, MA (66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA 02138) on Friday, October 10 at 2:00 pm
Donations in Ruth’s honor can be made to The Mass Audubon Society https://www.massaudubon.org/ or Break Through Cancer breakthroughcancer.org
https://evite.me/9TeebrwyTj - Open House, Saturday October 11, 114 Sheridan Street 11;30am - 2:30 pm
A poem written by Ruth McArthur from her collection of Poems Persistence
I.
The silhouette of the barn swallow
against the evening sky
is odd.
Adhered crosswise to its tail is
the feather of a much larger bird,
At least as long as the swallow.
The swallow perches on power wire,
pecks, preens itself persistently,
almost frantically.
II.
Surely the bird will be dead under the wire this morning.
How can it fly dragging such extra weight?
Or catch insects on the wing
or escape the red-shouldered hawk
Who regularly patrols the area?
But there is no corpse.
A shadow crosses the ground –
the blighted bird,
flying,
a bit wobbly,
but flying.
All morning it swoops
with the other swallows.
III
By evening, the swallow has re-mastered
the art,
flitting about with no detectable lack of grace,
swooping
from the nest above the front door
to hunt,
returning to feed the young,
huge burden still attached.
It has learned to carry on.
Ruth McArthur's Obituary
Craig Child's email
From Craig on FB:
Below are details on how we will be celebrating the life of Ruth F. McArthur. We appreciate all of the calls, texts, and emails over the past few days. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support.
A memorial service for Ruth will be held at University Lutheran Church in Cambridge, MA (66 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA 02138) on Friday, October 10 at 2:00 pm. Please refer to the church website for a Zoom link if you would like to attend virtually.
Church Website: https://www.unilu.org/
Following a memorial service, Ruth's ashes will be laid to rest at the family ranch in Boerne, TX at a later date.
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It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Charles W. "Bill" Bailey, Jr, MD, on July 24, 2025. Bill was the husband of Sue Jacobson Bailey for 43 years. They have 3 children and 5 granddaughters!
The entire Bailey family thank God for the blessing of Rev. Robby Vickery who was by their side, from hospital to hospice, praying with, supporting, and officiating at Bill's service.
Sue greatly appreciates those who came for Bill's funeral on August 9: Cissy Ramsel Birdseye, Beverly Kostohryz Kellow, Debbie Winn Schroeder, Gary Dugger, and Virginia Hayes & Dale Presnell. In addtion, Dub & Cathy Munson Ambrose came for a prayerful visit followed by lunch with Fay Evans-Martin, and Edward Davis. John Fletcher and Carey Blackwell were a source of comfort and prayer.
Thank you all, PHS'69, for your kind notes & messages! It has bolstered me through this difficult time.
Love,
Sue
Charles W. Bailey Jr. MD JD
SEPTEMBER 29, 1940 – JULY 24, 2025
Dr. Charles W. “Bill” Bailey, Jr, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend passed away peacefully July 24, 2025, in Austin, surrounded by the love of his family.
He was born on September 29, 1940, in Galveston, Texas to Dr. Charles William Bailey and Mary Love Armacost Bailey during his father’s senior year of medical school.
Bill was a graduate of Austin High School and earned his B.A. in Zoology from the University of Texas, where he was a member and president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and was a member of Phi Chi medical fraternity. He completed internships in General and Plastic Surgery at UT Hermann Hospital in Houston. In 1973, he entered private practice in plastic surgery in Houston, providing dedicated care to his wonderful patients for 33 years.
A third generation physician, Bill was shaped by medicine from birth. For over 30 years, he demonstrated a tireless commitment to organized medicine. He served as President of the Texas Medical Association during its 150th Anniversary and served as a delegate to the American Medical Association for over 15 years. Bill was Board Certified in Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the International College of Surgeons. He served as president of the Harris County Medical Society, Houston Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons. Additionally, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Texas Jury Task Force and the State of Texas Medical Disclosure Panel.
Bill attended the University of Texas School of Law and South Texas College of Law, earning his J.D. in 1980. He and his father were recognized as the only father/son physician/attorneys in the American College of Legal Medicine.
Bill’s contributions extended to civic leadership, serving on the boards of the Texas Medical Center, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Bank, the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, and the University of Texas Marine Science Institute Advisory Council. Bill was awarded the Ashbel Smith Distinguished Alumnus Award by The University of Texas Medical Branch. One of his most cherished honors came in 2004 when he received the C. Frank Webber Award for Outstanding Service to Medical Students – nominated by the medical students of Texas whom he actively involved in the successful passage of Tort Reform in 2003.
Bill was passionate about running, water skiing, scuba diving, flying, hiking, underwater and nature photography, his faith in God and caring for all His creatures: deer, skunks, armadillos, fox, squirrels, butterflies, birds, fish, lizards and snakes — every puppy and kitten that Kathryn rescued became family!
In perfect paring with Bill’s love for adventure and animals was his unbelievable ability to weave a tale. Storytelling brought him immense joy – not only the tale itself, but also the reactions of his audience be it friends, family or a complete stranger.
Above all, his deepest devotion was to his family, whom he loved immensely — his wife, Sue; children Kathryn, Will and Chuck, and his five granddaughters: Anna Beth, Mary Margaret, Sophie, Elliott, and Kit. He took great pride in their achievements and found extraordinary joy in sharing his love of nature and animals with them and being an active presence in their lives.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Charles W. Bailey and Mary Love Bailey. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sue Jacobson Bailey; sisters: Barbara Bailey Gaines and husband Jimmy of Dripping Springs, Mary Love “Bitsy” Henderson and husband Sid Mallory of Austin, and Kay Bailey Head and husband Steve of Dallas; brother-in-law Gordon Jacobson and wife Rose of Flagstaff, and sister-in-law Nan Jacobson Waller of Arlington; daughter Kathryn Bailey Burniston and husband Michael of Kerrville, son Charles “Will” Bailey III and wife Juliet of Framingham, Mass., Charles Luedemann and wife Elizabeth of Houston; and five granddaughters: Anna Beth and Mary Margaret Burniston, Sophia Bailey, Elliott and Catherine “Kit” Luedemann. Also survived by nieces and nephews: Anna Moss and husband Ryan, P.J. Henderson and wife Autumn, Charlie Henderson and wife Anne, Sheridan Sheehan and husband Pat, Scott Head and wife Katie, Brandon Waller and wife Amber, Jimmy Gaines, Jr and wife Dori, Randy Gaines and wife Michelle, and so many cherished cousins and beloved friends.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Ebrahim Delpassand, Dr. Demetrius Loukas, Dr. Margaret Cook, Marcia Wilcoxen R.N. and the dedicated staff at Fresenius, as well as the compassionate caregivers at Christopher House.
Visitation will take place Friday, August 8 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 5416 Parkcrest, Austin, Texas and will be live streamed. A private burial will be held at Austin Memorial Park. Attendees are encouraged to wear attire appropriate for a celebration of a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, the family invite you to send memorial contributions to:
The Charles William Bailey, MD, JD Class of ‘41 & Charles William Bailey, Jr, MD, JD Class of ’67 Scholarship in the John Sealy School of Medicine at UTMB - benefiting aspiring physicians during their fourth year of medical school. Gifts may be made online at www.utmb.edu/giving
or
Shriners Crippled Children's Texas. 844-739-0849
https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/campaign/shriners-childrens-fundraise-in-memory/c619498
or to a charity of your choice.
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