Evelyn June Waldrop

Evelyn June Holbrook Waldrop, longtime resident of Liberty, passed
away peacefully on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at age 87 in Madisonville after a
lengthy illness.

Evelyn was born in Dayton on November 26, 1929, the third child and
first daughter of A.C. “Chester” Holbrook, Sr. and his wife, Ellen Nelson
Holbrook.

She graduated in the Dayton High School class of 1946, having served as
drum major for the band for two years. She attended Southern Methodist
University in Dallas as a music major in voice. She was elected Queen of
Freedom in the Trinity Valley Exposition of 1948, where she was accompanied
by Liberty native Nelson Waldrop, her future husband.

Evelyn and Nelson were married on January 8, 1949, and they made their
home in Liberty. They had two sons, Joseph Nelson and Allan Chester. Joe was
the first grandchild of Chester and Ellen Holbrook.

She enjoyed singing and playing the piano, and was an active member of
the Valley Players, performing in numerous productions over the years. She was
a member of the Harmony Hearts singing group, and a lifelong member and a
leading soprano of Liberty’s First United Methodist Church choir.

She was a proficient bridge player and enjoyed very much her bridge days
with good friends. She was active in many Liberty social clubs, including Bridge
Club, Garden Club, and Women’s Club. She and Nelson were among the
founding, longtime members of Magnolia Ridge Country Club.

Evelyn will be remembered as a gracious hostess. Her sparkling wit and
her gift of stimulating conversation made her a joy to be around. In addition to
these notable qualities, she was an excellent cook. Even when recipes were used,
naturally knowing just how a dish should taste was truly her magic ingredient.
She had a seemingly effortless elegance about her, always tastefully and
fashionably dressed, and she always kept Joe and Allan looking sharp.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Sidney Nelson Waldrop
and her loving son, Joseph Nelson Waldrop, her parents, Chester and Ellen
Holbrook, her brother A.C. Holbrook, Jr. and wife June, and her brother John
David Holbrook.

Evelyn is survived by her loving son Allan Chester Waldrop, her brother
Bruce Holbrook and wife Betty, her brother Virgil “Buddy” Holbrook and wife
Linda, all of Dayton, her sister Juanita Holbrook Rizzo and husband Sam of
Madisonville, her sister-in-law Kathleen Chambliss Waldrop of Liberty, and
numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Evelyn loved and was loved by a great
many people, including a vast number of friends beyond her own very large,
extended family.

A Celebration of Evelyn’s Life will be held at First United Methodist
Church of Liberty, 539 Main Street, Liberty, Texas, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday,
August 5, 2017. In lieu of customary expressions of sympathy, the family
requests that you make a donation to the First United Methodist Church Music
Fund (539 Main Street, Liberty, TX 77575) or to the charity of your choice.