Norma Painter

Norma and her husband, John, became members of the Chorale in the early 1990s.  Norma had almost perfect attendance at rehearsals, choir events, and concerts, even through John’s bout with cancer and with her own failing health before her recent death.  Norma was a garment designer and an exceptionally skilled seamstress.  She not only designed two of the standard costumes the ladies of the Chorale have worn, but she also personally sewed all of the dresses of the most recent design.  Like the alto part she sang in Chorale, Norma contributed harmony to the lives of her family and friends.

To members of the Chorale who knew Norma, a standout memory was of the tour to Toronto, Canada, where she placed a bet on a horse race for the very first time.  She took suggestions and then decided to place a $2.00 bet to win, to place, and to show.  Her horse came in first, and she won it all.  Then she did a Norma thing—she quit while she was ahead.

Betty Beaty

Betty was a charter member of the Chorale and held the office of Librarian all but two years of her membership.  She was a Board member for much of her time with the Chorale and served passionately to impart the Chorale to Irving and abroad.  Betty never went halfway into anything and felt a personal commitment to the Chorale to account for every piece of music it owned, earning herself the esteemed title of “The Sheriff.”  Though she was well educated and highly recognized as an educator in both public schools and in the service of H & R Block as a Tax Professional and Trainer, she felt her greatest accomplishment was establishing a Chorale fund to be used to finance and maintain the music library.  In her honor, the Chorale named the fund The Betty Beaty Music Library Fund.

To members of the Chorale who knew Betty, a standout memory of her was on the Chorale’s tour to England in 1999 where she decided to “roast” the conductor at the farewell dinner.  She rewrote one of the songs sung on tour to “fit” the situation and conducted the choir in the new arrangement to the hilarious delight of all.

Cecil Ethridge

To everyone who knew and loved him, Cecil Ethridge was the epitome of Santa Claus—from the rosey cheeks to the beard to the belly that bounced like a bowl full of jelly.  He always had that jolly twinkle in his eye and that spring in his step that endeared him to everyone he met.

Cecil grew up in Oak Cliff, graduating from Sunset High School.  He met the love of his life, Arta, while attending Lubbock Christian College.  They had three children.  He was active in his local church and in recent years led the church choir.  He retired from the U.S. Postal Service to perfect his favorite hobby, golf.

Cecil loved to sing.  Those who roomed with him on trips quickly learned that he woke up singing and went to bed singing.  He sang with many choruses in the metroplex, including The Irving Quartet, The Dallas Civic Chorus, and the Irving Chorale.

Cecil's kind, gentle spirit will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.  But we know there are many happy kids in heaven who are surely waiting in line to sit on his lap.