Evelyn Kelly Radford

Mary Evelyn Kelly Radford ("Evelyn") went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 10, 2020, at the golden age of 97 (98 in November). Evelyn is survived by her daughters: Lynda Radford and Nanette Chandler; and her son: Daniel Radford; and her daughters-in-love: Gayle Liles and Julianne Auzsten; as well as her grandchildren: Kevin Radford; Jason Chandler and his wife, Gabrielle; Gordon Chandler and his wife, Christi; Brittany Radford; and Tamra Radford; and three great-grandchildren: Adrian Chandler, Addison Chandler, and Ella Chandler. All of her children and grandchildren loved her dearly. She will be greatly remembered, and deeply respected as a true child of the Most High God. She was a shining example of Jesus Christ in word and deed to not only her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but to all she encountered. She is predeceased by her parents, Hervey and Lilly Kelly; siblings, Samuel Hervey Kelly, Katherine Thompson, and Mildred Love; and husband, Roy Radford. Evelyn Radford was born Mary Evelyn Kelly on November 13, 1922 in Huntsville (Pine Prairie) Texas. As the youngest of four, and at the tender age of 5, Evelyn went to school in Phelps, Texas whe...[more]

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her mother taught school from first grade to junior high. Life was hard for the family and the stock market crash of 1929 did little to help the situation. Her mother sold butter and milk from their cows to make ends meet and her mom also taught the poor and oppressed. Her daddy was a traveling Methodist minister. Evelyn graduated from Huntsville High School in 1940. Evelyn's brother, Hervey or "Sam" was a "practice teacher" at Huntsville High School and taught Evelyn typing. Upon leaving high school, Evelyn attended one year of college at Sam Houston State College, now known as Sam Houston State University. In 1941 President Roosevelt declared War on Japan, which started WW II. Soon after, Evelyn's brother joined the FBI, and he suggested that Evelyn and her sister, Mildred go to Houston to apply for positions with the FBI. Upon testing, Evelyn and her sister were accepted into the FBI and given administrative assignments in Washington, D.C. Evelyn was 19 years old. The sisters went to Washington, never before being out of the State of Texas. They first worked in the Justice Department on Pennsylvania Avenue. While in Washington, Evelyn and Mildred sang at several Youth for Christ Rallys, and often got a glance at J. Edgar Hoover nearing the elevator. In early 1943, Evelyn's brother, Sam, sent Evelyn and Mildred one dozen Orchids from South America. They were ecstatic, not just for the gift, but also because they were so expensive in America. In the fall of 1943 Evelyn's sister, Mildred developed a case of tonsillitis and had to go home to Texas. As Evelyn was the younger, her mother insisted that she was too young to stay in Washington alone, and insisted that Evelyn come home as well. The girls left Washington on the train to return to Texas where Evelyn went to work in Houston. At her mother's urging, Evelyn returned to Huntsville and completed her Bachelor's Degree in English in 1946. She then worked as a teacher until she went back to Sam Houston State to obtain her Master's Degree in English with a minor in Education in 1952. Evelyn taught English at Aldine High School in 1953. She met her soon-to-be husband, Roy Radford in Aldine in 1955. They were married July 20, 1956 at the First Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas, and then settled in Houston. In August 1957 Evelyn's first daughter, Lynda, was born. Then in 1959 a second daughter, Nanette, was born. Again in 1963 a third child, Daniel, was born. After Daniel was born, Evelyn reinstated her teaching career at Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas. Both of Evelyn's daughter's attended the high school where Evelyn taught. For several years, Evelyn sang in the choir of the Evangelistic Temple in Houston. While with the choir, she travelled to places such as Israel, London, and Sweden. The choir was invited to sing in the Royal Albert Hall in London. Evelyn retired in 1981 and in 1994 she and her husband moved to Austin, Texas to be near their children. From that time on, she assisted in raising her five grandchildren. She was retired for 39 years. Evelyn also enjoyed her Sunday school "Joy Class" at Bannockburn Baptist Church. Pallbearers are Gordon Chandler, Jason Chandler, Wayne Love, Ray Love, Ronnie Love, and Randy Allen. Evelyn's family would like to acknowledge the superior care received by Heart to Heart Hospice, especially her nurse, Michelle and aide, Toni. The family will receive visitors at Harrell Funeral Home on Sunday, August 16, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held on Monday, August 17, 2020 at 11:00 a.m., located at 4435 Frontier Trail Drive, Austin, Texas, (512) 433-1366. Interment will be at Onion Creek Memorial Park in San Leanna, Texas, alongside her husband, Roy Radford.