Evelyn Jane Williford was born on May 27, 1939 at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston, Texas. Her parents were Sanford David Hough and Johnnie Cleotha Hough. Evelyn was raised in Houston, Texas and Belton, Texas. Evelyn was raised with 5 brothers and 3 sisters; Dorothy Cross, James Cross, Billy Cross, Maybelle Cross, David Hough, Robert Hough, Curtis Hough, and Georgia Marie Hough. As a young child, Evelyn showed her creative ability in many ways. She was outgoing and animated. Evelyn enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. She took part in gymnastics. In her spare time she liked playing with dolls. Evelyn's memorable achievements included helping take care of her younger brothers and sisters.
Friends and acquaintances found Evelyn an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her knew her as being a very sincere, and devoted. Evelyn was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for what they were. Some of her best friends throughout her life were Faye Bowls and Rena Stocton.
In 1953, Evelyn exchanged wedding vows with Aubrey Maricle in Belton, Texas. Even as a child bride, Evelyn was attentive to Aubrey, and Evelyn was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.
Very much a kid herself, Evelyn was able to direct her energy toward helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Evelyn was blessed with 7 children; four sons, Aubrey and his wife Pam Gilpin, David Albert, James and his wife Kim McNeil, & Robert and his wife Linda McDowell; and 3 daughters, Betty Jo and her husband Joe Ellis, Sharon and her husband Joe Cheney, & Barbara Bonilla. They were also blessed with 18 grandchildren, Christina, Karl, David, Kristina, Chris, Brandon, Alicia, Nicole, Tara, Brittany, Jason, Heather, Danny, Lindsey, Brooklyn, Hailey, Savannah, and Alec.
Evelyn was a hard worker, and a persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions. Evelyn’s strengths included being able to think on her feet, and do the tough things that others may not have been willing to do. Her primary occupations were as a homemaker and mother to her beloved children. Professions that she took very seriously, and great pride in.
Evelyn had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She enjoyed doing crafts, and sharing the things she made with her family and friends. She always felt like she was sharing something of herself with the ones that she gifted her crafts to. She enjoyed going to church when she could, and sharing her love for God with the people that she cared about. However her favorite thing to do was always spending time with her family and friends. She was content to spend her time alone reading (mostly her bible) but also enjoyed sharing her interests with others.
Evelyn passed away on February 9, 2019 at Clear Lake Regional Hospital in Webster, Texas from complications from pneumonia. She is survived by Georgia Marie Adler, Betty Jo Ellis, Aubrey Allen Gilpen, Sharon Cheney, Barbara Bonilla, James McNeil, and Robert McDowell. Services will be held at Calvary Hill Funeral Home in Humble, Texas. Evelyn will be laid to rest in Calvary Hill Cemetery.
Evelyn was the kind of person who could win others over easily. There was something so sincere, and devoted in her that drew people to her, and made them friends for life. If Evelyn had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She enjoyed life, even though hers was not an easy one. She looked forward to making her children better, stronger people. She did this by displaying her own strength throughout her life, on sunny days, and stormy nights. This is how everyone that was blessed to know Evelyn Jane Williford (Hot Rod) will remember her.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18