Henrietta Pearl (Rudasill) Metz

Henrietta Rudasill Metz died at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 at The RiverMist Assisted Living where she had lived for the past two and a half years.
Mrs. Metz was born in the Struther Community, a farming community in Monroe County, Mo. on April 29, 1913 to Phillip Henry and Constance (Carpenter) Rudasill. Her mother died when Henri was three. Her father later married Mary Delaney. These, and her siblings Doris Harmon and Murry (Buddy) Rudasill preceded her in death. Her sister, Martha Louise Smallwood of Mexico, Mo., survives.
After graduation from Paris High School and Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman University) as valedictorian in 1937, she moved to Poplar Bluff to become ""The Commercial Teacher"" at the high school. She later earned her Masters of Education Degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
She began attending First Presbyterian Church where she met Lynn T. Metz, Jr. They were married in April of 1938. He preceded her in death on Aug. 31, 2004. In addition to her sister, her survivors include four sisters-in-law, Margaret Cotrell, Rose McDaniel, Frances Godwin and Jan Harrell Metz, and numerous nieces and nephews.
As Mrs. Metz continued her teaching career, the Commercial program grew to become Diversified Occupations and Commerce, then Co-Operative Education, and later Marketing and Co-Operative Education. For over four decades, she gave her gift of enthusiasm, dignity, energy, high expectations, inspiration and self-confidence to her students.
She worked through the summers to secure job placements for students, and during the school term to oversee these arrangements as the program grew to be one of the largest in Missouri. During these years, she was the Poplar Bluff R1 nominee for Missouri Teacher of the Year, 1976. She received honors as Missouri's Outstanding COE Co-ordinator in 1973, and in 1974 was named as an ""Outstanding Secondary Educator of America"".
Throughout her career she avidly followed and supported all PBHS sports and manned the South ticket gate at all home football games until her retirement. She continued to listen to and watch Mule sports throughout her life.
Henrietta continued as a faithful and active member of First Presbyterian Church, in the choir, the Women's association and teaching in Sunday School. She served thirty years as Financial Secretary and was honored as Elder Emeritus.
She was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma Teachers' Sorority, a member of Monday Study Club, and an avid bridge player and reader.
She and her husband were vigorous supporters of and participants in Gideon's International. She became a member of the Auxiliary at its inception in 1946. Until her health declined, she continued to present New Testaments to nursing school graduates in the area.
Especially dear to Mrs. Metz and her husband was their participation in the sponsorship of the Tran family from Cambodia. Mr. and Mrs. Tran arrived with their son Bai Kit to become active in the community. The Tran's daughter, Karen Sue was born in Poplar Bluff. The family moved to Colorado where both children received multiple university degrees. They all returned later to Poplar Bluff to visit ""Grandma and Grandpa"".
Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at the First Presbyterian Church, Main at Oak, with the service at 11 a.m., with The Reverend Jean Dicken officiating.
Burial will follow at the Poplar Bluff City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church.
Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.
Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff is in charge of the arrangements