Obituary of Evelyn Prestridge

Ruby Evelyn Hargett born on July 22, 1921 in Golden, Ms. to James Perry Hargett and Ethel Duncan Hargett died on Thursday, November 8, 2012 at the age of 91 in San Diego, Ca. where she had been living with her oldest daughter, Sonya Prestridge and son-in-law, Arvid Straube. Evelyn graduated from Fulton High School in Fulton, Miss. in 1939. She married Thomas Gayrel Prestridge (deceased) on August 20, 1939 and celebrated 69 years of marriage. She is survived by her daughters, Sonya Prestridge (San Diego, Ca.) and Kathleen Jones (Metairie, LA.); son-in-laws, Arvid Straube and Owen Jones; granddaughters, Suzanna Sexton (Oakwood, Tx) and Mimi Owens (River Ridge, La.); son-in-laws, Freddie Sexton and Todd Owens; great-grandchildren, Sydney Evelyn Owens and Britton Taylor Owens; sisters, Opaline McKinney, Red Bay, Al., Theresa Lindley (deceased), Muscle Shoals, Al., Herlon Reeves (deceased), Golden, Ms.; brother, Troy Hargett (deceased), sister-in-law, Polly Hargett, Tuscumbia, Al.; and sisters-in-law, Mary Ellen Prestridge, Lagrange, Ga., Mae Wells, Hartsell, Al. Evelyn and Tom bought a house on Striplin St, in Roanoke, Ala. after WWII. They personally renovated their home which she lovingly took care of until she suffered a stroke in March, 2008 leaving her paralyzed on her right side and wheelchair bound. The hardest thing she ever did was to leave her home, best friend, Maxine Breed, and loving Philanthea Sunday School class, to live with her daughters in Metairie, La. and San Diego, CA. She did this with graciousness and was loved by everyone she met in her new homes and churches. Having worked for Palm Beach Company in Roanoke, Ala. from 1948 until she retired as a Quality Supervisor in 1983, she helped unionize Palm Beach in the 50's. Her daughter's were proud of her "Norma Rae" activities so the female employees could get higher wages. Evelyn is remembered as a sweet, kind and compassionate woman who loved her family deeply. She was active at the First Baptist Church. She was an exceptional seamstress who made prom dresses and wedding dresses for her family with love.. As an inventive cook for our family, we claim that she invented "blackened steak" before Paul Prudhomme and "tomato gravy" since we haven't eaten that anywhere else. Friends are invited to join her family for the funeral service on Tuesday, November 20th at Quattlebaum Funeral Home in Roanoke, Al., with visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 and burial at the Randolph Memory Gardens. Donations in Evelyn's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church of Roanoke, Ala.