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Julie Marie (Ruffeno) Procter, 57, passed away peacefully Feb. 25, 2023, in Houston, Texas, after a lifelong battle with a debilitating neurovascular condition. Julie was born Sept. 9, 1965 in Houston, and in 1971 her family relocated from Stafford to Columbus, Texas, which Julie proudly recognized as her hometown.
As a child, Julie had a great love for the stage. She performed along with her parents and other family in Columbus’s Stafford Opera House productions of “Oklahoma” and “Carnival”. She took dance classes as a child, was involved in many productions and contests for the drama department at Columbus High School and was crowned Miss Columbus 1985 after singing a song from “Oklahoma” for her talent act.
Julie was always proud of her Texas heritage and honored as a “Yellow Rose of Texas” by Governor Mark White during her tenure as Miss Columbus. She attended the University of Texas at Austin as a proud Longhorn, first as a Drama Major, where she performed in the musical “Sweeney Todd”. She graduated with a BS degree in Interior Design from the university in 1989 and began her career practicing in the profession. While at UT, Julie met the love
of her life, her husband, John Procter. They were married on Oct. 19, 1991 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Columbus.
Julie and John lived in various places following John’s career, first near Fort Worth, Texas, followed by Phoenix, AZ, Tullahoma, TN and finally, Sherman, Texas. In 1996 they welcomed their son Jamie, who was born in Arizona, but also Texan by birth because Julie made sure there was a box of Texas soil under the delivery bed!
Despite her medical issues, Julie was a stubborn fighter and lived a very full life and took great pride in her family and raising her son Jamie. A devout Catholic, Julie was a member of many Catholic parishes – most notably St. Anthony’s Catholic Church where she received her first communion, confirmation, was married to John, her only child Jamie was baptized, her 25th and 30th wedding anniversaries were celebrated, and where her funeral mass will be held. Julie has three godchildren: Welch Gilbert, Mary Grace Gilbert, and Kaitlyn Rose Procter.
Julie is survived by her husband John, parents Mac and Rita Ruffeno, son James MacDonald Procter and wife Sarah Procter, sister Jill Ruffeno Gilbert and husband Gray Gilbert, and brother MacDonald Ruffeno and wife Tracy Ruffeno.
Julie has been preceded in death by grandparents Preston and Mary Ann Ruffeno, Joe and Regina Agnello, aunt Theresa Agnello, and father-in-law James R. Procter.
Visitation will be held Friday, March 3, 2023, from 5–7 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home, 1515 Montezuma St., Columbus, Texas. A parish prayer service and rosary will begin at 7 p.m., led by Deacon Rusty Theut.
The funeral mass will be held Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 10 a.m., officiated by Father Augustine N. Asante at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1602 Bowie St., Columbus, Texas. Burial will follow at the St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery.
A lunch reception and celebration of Julie’s life will follow the burial service at Live Oak Art Center, 1014 Milam St. Columbus, Texas.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome. com.
