U.S.M.C. VETERAN WWII
Rusty was born to Leslie and Ruth Henderson in Holtville, California, on November 18, 1929, and joined her God in Heaven on August 11, 2023, at Manteca, Calif., having lived in Manteca from 1999 to 2023, and was a resident of Prestige Sr. Home at her time of passing. "Rusty" was predeceased by her parents, sister, Virginia Clark, brother, Rollin "Bud" Henderson, infant daughter, Carol Ann, infant son, Joseph "little Joe "and son, Michael Deal.
She is survived by son, Patrick (Anna Lazzarini) Deal, Deborah Deal, grandson, Jason M. Deal, nephew, David (Susan) Bayliss, nephews; John, Scott, and Ross Humphrey, and niece, Judy Compton. She leaves five great-grandchildren, and several great-nephews and nieces scattered throughout several states. Although "Rusty" moved many times in Calif. during her lifetime, she considered her hometown as Berkeley, CA, graduating there from Willard Jr. High in 1944, then attended Smith's Preparatory School in Berkeley, while she was working as the Asst. Mgr. at the Fox Theater, Oakland, CA. She enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1945, serving at Camp LeJeune, N.C., and Camp Pendelton, Oceanside, Ca. Working in the motor pool driving back and forth between other military bases and SoCal’s ports of departure. "Rusty" graduated from the M.S.D.T. Business College in Hayward, Ca.
In 1963 and entered the legal field, advancing from Legal Secretary to Exec. Legal Assistant, before retiring in 1972. In 1976, she finished her education as a student at Chabot Jr. College and Calif. State University, East Bay, in Hayward, CA in 1980, and said "It was the most incredible experience of my life to graduate from College at age 50!", where she was invariably astonished and grateful that she was accepted as their peer by the younger students, and loved the scholastic challenges of the whole four years. Always loving to sing, she joined a Big Band, singing the old favorites of the 30s and 40s, and eventually formed her own band "Rusty's Ranglers", performing country music, working out of the San Leandro, Ca. Music Union during the time between 1976 and 1986. "Rusty" was elated that she was asked to make a guest appearance on the Caribbean Nordic Prince Ship, and at the old MGM in Reno, NV., and felt if she never sang again, she had fulfilled her childhood dream, land was more than happy singing in the local church choirs on Sundays, after moving from East Bay to Tracy and then to Manteca in 1999, where she was a resident of El Rancho Mobile Home Park until 2014.
Services are in the care of Tracy Memorial Chapel, A graveside service was held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (5810 Midway Rd., Dixon, CA 95620) on August 22, 2023 at 11:30 a.m. At "Rusty's" request, please make any
donations or remembrances to the A.S.P.C.A.
Manteca (Calif. Bulletin
Thursday, August 24, 2023
