Raedelle was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was born on May 18, 1927 to Alonzo and Margaret Evans in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her father ran a successful printing business and they lived in a comfortable two story brick house. She was the youngest of three children with an older brother, Vernon, who served in World War II and a sister, Elsie. After graduating high school, Raedelle attended Stephen’s College, a private women’s college in Columbia, Missouri. There she earned an Associates in Arts degree. For the remaining two years of college, Raedelle attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In addition to attaining her Bachelor of Science in Education, she met the man who would be the love of her life, Harold Withrow. Harold was a small town boy from Donavan, Missouri who was pursuing a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering. After graduating in 1950, they married at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids in 1953 and settled there. Harold worked for Michigan Wisconsin Pipeline and Raedelle worked as kindergarten teacher with overflowing classrooms full of baby boomers. In1955, their first child was born, a daughter they named Janolyn, followed by Stephanie and Barton. Harold’s career advancement brought the opportunity for him to open his company’s Texas office which brought the young family to Houston in 1957.
In Houston, their first house was in the new area of Meyerland on North Braeswood. Later they bought a lot in the distant, somewhat rural area of Hedwig Village. When the streets and utilities were finally installed, they built their dream home on Kemwood Drive.
Harold and Raedelle were members of First Presbyterian Church in Houston and leaders in the Fellowship Class. They raised their family to love and honor God. Raedelle never re-entered the work force but after raising her children, she volunteered at First Presbyterian Church and was active in the Blue Bird Circle, which supports pediatric neurology. Raedelle had a wide circle of friends and played bridge until just a few years ago.
Raedelle is preceded in death by her husband, Harold, who passed away in 2009 and her sister, Elsie, and brother, Vernon. She is survived by her children Janolyn Withrow, Stephanie Brush, Barton Withrow (Susan), and five grandchildren Caroline Uptmore (Joshua), Braden Brush, and Victoria, Angela and Jackson Withrow.
