Ada Frank McCulloch, a native Austinite born in 1912 passed from this earth on Thursday November 20, 2008 following a brief illness. Ms. McCulloch was 96. She had resided in her historic Old West Austin home since 1917. Ada was the daughter of Minot B. McCulloch and Louise Koch. Her grandfather, Charles Koch, was Austin's first dry cleaner. Arriving in Austin from Switzerland in 1876, Charles opened a dry cleaning shop at 6th and Congress. She was also a direct descendent of Henry McCulloch whose brother Ben McCulloch was the notable Texas Ranger and hero. Ada worked as a beautician in Austin for nearly 70 years. She began her career at the elegant Marinella Beauty Salon at Austin's historic Norwood Building, where she was hired by her beloved Aunt, Zella Koch. Ma Ferguson was one of her regular customers. The Marinella was Austin's first beauty salon to have air conditioning. A bouncy buoyant woman with an energetic laugh and keen since of humor, Ada always maintained a positive view of life. She was a true Christian that was loving and open armed to everyone. Ada was a good listener and had the ability to give advice without criticizing. Although she never married, she adopted all members of her family and over 96 years had witnessed a lot of life's challenges. She was known for her wonderful cooking. Her love towards family and friends was evident at her famous Christmas parties, which she had through her 90th birthday. She also valued education and helped many family members with encouragement and money to get through school. Most everyone she ever encountered called her Aunt Ada. Ada joined the Presbyterian church when she was 5 years old. She was an active member until her death. When she became ill, she dearly missed going to church on Sunday and visiting with all of the fine folks at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She supported the church's many charities including their children's home. Ada is survived by two first cousins, Marie Josey Shuler, of Austin, and Noeline Stumpf Harris, of Tyler. She is also survived by a sister-in-laws, Margaret McCulloch of Seguin, two nieces, Linda Holder of Austin and Nancy Lewis of Florida; two nephews Sam McCulloch of Taylor and Ben McCulloch of Germany. She is also survived by a host of wonderful great nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins and dear friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, her two brothers Sam Minot McCulloch and Charles McCulloch, and her sister Katherine McCulloch Jenks. Ada will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23rd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. Services for Ada will be held Monday, November 24th at 10:00 AM at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ada's name to the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 6800 Woodrow, Austin, TX 78757.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18