RosaLou D'Arpa Ryals' Obituary
Rosa Lou D'Arpa Ryals, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and friend to many, peacefully fell asleep in the arms of the Lord in Tampa on Tuesday, October 6. She was 81.
Born April 4, 1934 to the Rev. Jerome F. and Susie (Grabbe) D'Arpa of Tampa, she was a proud 1953 graduate of H.B. Plant High School, and later attended both Tulane University and the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Her deep passion for music and performance became the focus of her seminary studies in religious music, later catapulting her to regional popularity for operatic performances in "La Boheme" and others directed by Tampa's First Lady of Opera, Norma Tina Russo. In the 1950s, Ryals, with sister Josephine, gained notoriety by performing as "The D'Arpa Sisters" at talent shows at the Tampa Theater. In 1957, Ryals was hired by the Florida Baptist Convention to organize graded choir programs at Baptist churches throughout the state. As a lifetime member of First Baptist Church of Tampa, she was a soloist and a member of the chancel choir, as well as a member of the church's Joy Club.
Ryals' work ethic and fondness for fashion were highly regarded, starting in her teen years as an employee of Lerner's, and later with Merle Norman Cosmetics. While haute couture was her avocation, her true calling was educating Tampa's youth for 30 years in Tampa area schools.
Ryals became president of the Parent Teacher Association at McFarlane Park Elementary School in 1971. Her talents were so impressive that principal Earl Hall recognized her great potential as an educator and supported her hire in 1972 as a human relations specialist at Robinson High School. She returned to McFarlane Park Elementary to teach in the school's newly-formed Head Start program. She served briefly as a human relations specialist at Coleman Junior High School, but returned to the Head Start program at McFarlane Park and West Tampa Elementary, where she finished her career in 1999.
In her Tampa neighborhood, she was fondly known as an honorary house mother to her sons' friends and to other youth involved with the West Tampa Boys and Girls Club. She adored her three grandchildren, as well as her nieces and nephews.
A cultured international traveler, Ryals had been to Italy, Greece, Mexico, Norway, and Denmark. Perhaps her most well-documented trip was to London, where she was witness to the celebration of the royal wedding of Charles and Diana. She also rode on the world-famous Orient Express railway.
Ryals is preceded in death by the love of her life, John Claude Ryals, whom she married in 1964. Her son, Seward Marion Ryals, passed away in April of 2013. Her oldest sibling, sister Suzanne (D'Arpa) Candileri, brother-in-law Steve Candileri, and brother Guy Jerome D'Arpa are also deceased.
She is survived by her son, John Jerome Ryals of Tampa, sister Josephine D'Arpa of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, daughter-in-law Francisca Serrano-Ryals of Tampa, sister-in-law Silvia D'Arpa of Tampa, grandchildren Bianca Chanele Ryals, Dominic Ryan Serrano-Ryals, and Cotie Leigh Serrano-Ryals, nephews Guy Jerome D'Arpa, Jr., Frank J. D'Arpa, and Steven Candileri, and niece Amanda Grace Candileri.
Serving as pall bearers: John Jerome Ryals, Dominic Serrano-Ryals, Frank D'Arpa, Guy J. D'Arpa, Jr., Steven Candileri, Adrian Bishop, Tommy Butler, and Frank David Carmichael.
By special request, honorary pall bearers will include Ryals' dearest friends Libby Abernathy, Liza Acevedo, Susan Aponte, Drew Bishop, Susan Bishop, Frances Carmichael, Dorothy Corzo, Helen Gomez, Martha Lizardo, Carmen Matos, Diane Richardson, Maryanne Rowland, and Marilyn Shonda.
Family will receive visitors Tuesday, October 13 from 6-9 p.m.
at the Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 N. Armenia Avenue, Tampa.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 14 at 11 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Tampa, 302 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa.
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