- Heaven opened It’s glorious gates to receive it’s newest angel, Evelyn Gates McQuiston Rich, 95 of Abilene, on March 14, 2022.
Evelyn Rich was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a native Abilenian whose father was an early day settler of Abilene. Mrs. Rich was born on December 28, 1926 in Abilene to Mr. Henry Gates and Vida Fletcher Gates. City records indicate Mr. Gates purchased cemetery lots in 1900 in Abilene's City Cemetery. He was a trucker, gardener and farmer who sold vegetables to Abilene grocers during the depression years.
Evelyn attended Travis Elementary, Abilene High School and Draughon's Business College. On July 8, 1943, she married Sgt. Vance Raymond McQuiston of Hammond, Indiana. They were wed in Crown Point, Indiana. Sgt. McQuiston served in World War II in the European Theatre where he received the Legion of Merit Award. Sgt McQuiston was killed in action in Korea on September 24, 1950. His body was returned on the couple's 8th wedding anniversary, July 8, 1951. Sgt McQuiston is buried in the Field of Honor at Elmwood Memorial Park.
On September 6,1957, Evelyn was married to William Harold Rich of Hammond, Indiana, who was a friend of her first husband. They were married in Abilene by the late Rev. W.C. Ashford of South Side Baptist Church. Bill established his own business in 1960, Bill's Wondering Exterminating, which is owned and operated now by his son Tim Rich. Evelyn and Bill celebrated forty-three years together before Mr. Rich's death on June 23,2001.
In later years, Mrs. Rich worked in retail sales at Montgomery Ward, Minter's downtown and J.C. Penney's fine jewelry department at the Mall of Abilene when it opened in 1979.
Evelyn was also proceeded in death by her parents, sister Helen Taylor and brother Douglas Gates. She is survived by her children - Milton McQuiston and wife Brenda, Karen McQuiston and Tim Rich and wife Rita. Her four grandchildren - Raymond McQuiston and wife Melissa, Joe Don McQuiston and wife Betty, Kimberly Hammond and Kevin Holden and wife Nicki. Her eleven great grandchildren - Natalie Kelley, Major McQuiston, Reese Evelyn Hammond, Luke Hammond, Gage McQuiston, Macy McQuiston, Olivia Holden, Ava Holden, Ali Holden, Ariana Watson and Ryker Holden. She is also survived by her brother Jerry Wyatt and wife Wanda and numerous nieces and nephews.
As a young widow and mother, Evelyn put her faith and trust in her Lord Jesus Christ and drew her strength from God's Word. The Psalms were her favorite and the 14th chapter of John.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, oh Lord, My Strength and My Redeemer. " Psalm 19:14
Mrs. Rich was a member of Abilene Bible Church and The Ladies Senior Group. Funeral services will be held at Piersall Funeral Directors of Abilene on Friday, March 18, 2022, with a viewing at 1:00 p.m. and service starting at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park.
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1926 - 2022 (95 years)
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