Obituary – Evelyn M. Rust
Evelyn Motell Church Rust, age 93, daughter of John and Bernice (Neal) Church was born March 18, 1927, at Redford, Mo. She passed away December 12, 2020, at Promenade Health and Rehabilitation in Rogers, Ark.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her first husband, Arlie Milam; her parents, John and Bernice Church; her husband, Leland Doyle Rust; her son, Dwight Milam; and daughter, Betty Jean (BJ) Milam-Tegtmeyer; her sisters, Melba Rose Frame, Letta Sue Summers and Rebecca Yancey; brothers, Noah Church, FM Church and CC Church; and several nephews and nieces.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Deloris Milam-Earnhart and husband, Carl of Rogers, Ark.; her daughter-in-law, Rita Milam of Bucyrus; son-in-law, Marlin Tegtmeyer of LaMonte; grandchildren: Cindy Berry and husband, Craig of Barnhart, Christopher Cook of St. Louis, Brenda Pitts and husband, Jaime Aguanaga of Cassville, Linda Thompson and husband, Troy of Cassville, Angelia Moore and husband, Verlin of Bucyrus, Regina Creighton of Carrollton, Texas; step grandson, Carl “Butch” Earnhart of Cape Girardeau; great grandchildren: Nichole, Tanner and Landon Berry, Katelyn Pitts and Jaime Aguanaga, Seth and Tristan Thompson, Clayton Moore, Logan and Ashton Creighton; two step great grandchildren: Dakota Earnhart of Carbondale, Ill. and Aspen Earnhart- Raulerson of Ga.; one step great great granddaughter, Everly Raulerson of Ga.; and many nieces and nephews.
Evelyn grew up during the depression, the second oldest child helping raise the younger ones. Her father was a lumberyard foreman, moving to different areas for the company. She met Arlie Milam of Dongola, Ark. on one of those moves. They were married in January 1944, and had three children before his death in February of 1962.
Evelyn moved to Cabool, Mo. to be closer to her oldest sister, and where she found work. She later met and married Leland Doyle Rust and was married for 18 years before his death in 1996. During their marriage, Doyle drove a truck and she would accompany him every chance she could get, traveling all over the U.S.
During her time living in Cabool when her husband was a Cabool police officer, she was a volunteer auxiliary policewoman.
Evelyn spent over 50 years in the Order of Eastern Star where she held several offices.
Evelyn spent 14 years working in the Mtn. Grove, Mo. Wal-Mart; she worked in the fabric department where she loved meeting and sharing stores of quilting and crafts.
Evelyn loved to fish and spent hours after work fishing. She kept a fishing rod and reel in the trunk of her car. Most of her grandchildren and great grandchildren have followed in her love of fishing.
Evelyn loved quilting, and made each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren quilts. After retiring from work, she began quilting for others all over the U.S. She was well respected for her quilting abilities and workmanship.
Evelyn loved playing cards, and taught several grandchildren to play Rook and UNO.
In 2018 Evelyn moved to the Cassville Senior Housing in Cassville, Mo. where she attended The New Freedom Worship Center in Purdy with her granddaughter Brenda.
Evelyn was well known for the hats she wore and was the proud owner of many. She was in a car wreck in her late 40s where she sustained a severe head injury leaving a small section of her scull missing. The hats were a way of protecting that area from the hot sun and cold which caused her to have severe headaches.
She was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She was a Christian, and knew the Lord; her faith was strong.
We know she is with her heavenly father now. Her family that has gone on before her was waiting. She can fly with the wind and fish all she wants. We will miss her much, but she is safe in the arms of Jesus where no pain can touch her. She is at peace with her beloved son and daughter.
Memorials are suggested to your local Food Pantry. Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.
Graveside services were held Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Emery Cemetery with Wayne Cannon officiating. Services were under the direction of Evans Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Christopher Cook, Craig Berry, Tanner Berry, Carl (Butch) Earnhart II, Clayton Moore, Jaime Lee Aguinaga and Jaime Aguinaga.
