Mary Evelyn Perkins Aldridge

Mary Evelyn Perkins Aldridge (Mrs. Joel L. Aldridge), of Austin, Texas, passed away on May 12th at her home in Westminster Manor at the age of 89. Throughout a long life, Evelyn's husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the focus and joy of her quiet life. Her love and generosity will be greatly missed. Evelyn is survived by her four children, Carolyn McFarland, Susan Kirk (Laurence), John Aldridge, and Mary Ann Aldridge Warapius (Kevin). Also remembering her are 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Evelyn was pre-deceased by her husband, the Reverend Joel Lively Aldridge, Jr. Evelyn was born on May 4, 1921, in Lamesa, Texas. Her parents were descended from pioneers who settled in Texas in Nacogdoches in the 1820's, and later established ranches and farms in what became the Panhandle and West Texas. She grew up in Winters, where she rode her beloved pony "Shorty" to school, played 3rd base on the girls softball team, and served as a cheerleader for the Winters "Blizzards". She graduated from Trinity University, and also attended DePaul University in Chicago and University of Wisconsin in Madison. While attending Trinity University, she met Joel, a Plano native, and they married on January 1, 1942. After Joel completed his post-graduate work at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and was ordained as a Minister of the Presbyterian Church USA, she assisted him in his ministry at Presbyterian churches in Port Neches and Tulia, Texas. After the family moved to Austin, Joel continued his ministry in Austin at Hope Presbyterian Church and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. They celebrated their 50th anniversary before Joel's death in 1995. Evelyn was a private person married to a gregarious man, the dynamics of which were enriched with four active children. She will be remembered as a kind and caring lady who put other's needs ahead of her own. She was a member of the Austin Woman's Club, as well as the University Presbyterian Church. She cherished the close friends she made when the family worshiped at Wilshire (now, Genesis) Presbyterian Church. Evelyn retained an abiding love for New Mexico and the cabin she and Joel built in Taos Canyon in 1951. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 17th at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 North Lamar. A celebration of her life will take place at University Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, May 18th, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception following. A private burial service will conclude at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery on Hancock Drive. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to The Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, 100 E. 27th St. Austin, TX 78705 or the charity of your choice. The family extends special thanks to the caring staff and nurses at Westminster Health Center, and to the Hospice Austin Team attending her final days.