Ruth Evelyn Daniels

Ruth Evelyn (neé Edwards) was born on July 12, 1932 and raised in Grand Saline, Texas. She graduated high school at age fifteen after which she worked for a large local retail business for four years. She enrolled and subsequently graduated from Baylor University where she met her husband Jack Kyle Daniels, who became a United Methodist minister and child care professional.

Evelyn’s career began as a secretary and schoolteacher, but she found her true calling as a gracious hostess in conjunction with her husband’s career in child care, most notably during his final 25 years where he served as President of the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas. A highlight of these experiences was entertaining Mrs. Barbara Bush at the 100th Anniversary of MCH. During this time she was also an active leader in the Methodist Ministers’ Wives on both the district and conference level.

Evelyn was an enthusiastic and supportive mother to her children and facilitated their involvement in many educational and extracurricular activities that greatly contributed to their personal development and professional careers. She was well known for her attention to impeccable grooming and manners, and she insisted on that for her children, as well.

A hallmark of her life was the abundance of friendships she nurtured together with Jack throughout their marriage. One special group consisted of twenty-six Methodist clergy and their wives who met regularly for 58 years. In retirement, a great source of joy has been their relationship with the Searchers Class at Bethany United Methodist Church in Austin.

Throughout her life, Evelyn was famous for carefully avoiding any semblance of cooking but widely recognized for her ability to find a Luby’s Cafeteria.

She was preceded in death by her parents, C.M. Edwards and Nancy Katherine (“Cate”) Edwards of Grand Saline, TX.

Evelyn is survived by her husband of 64 years, Dr. Jack Kyle Daniels of Austin, TX; two children, Lyn Koenning of Austin and Kyle (“Stig”) Daniels of Houston; four grandchildren, Stephen White of Miami, FL, Lisa Atkins Matz of Friendswood, TX, Kimberly Atkins Berger of Austin, and Cole Koenning of Austin; and three great-grandchildren, Kylie and Samantha White of Miami, FL and Vincent Matz of Friendswood, TX.

Funeral arrangements are being made at Cook-Walden Chapel of the Hills (www.cookwaldenchapelofthehills.com) in Austin. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no memorial service at this time; however, memorial contributions can be sent to the Methodist Children’s Home in Waco, Texas (https://www.mch.org/ways-to-give/).