Evie Alene Wooten

Evie Wilson Larrison Wooten was an extraordinary woman. She is a legend to her family, friends and community, a benevolent Matriarch in the truest and best sense of the word . She never strayed from the straight and narrow path as she saw it guided by her strong faith. She never doubted herself or her beliefs in what was right and what was wrong. She lived what she preached. That consistency and lack of confusion gave her the extraordinary energy it took to survive a life that would have been too difficult for many others. Simply put, she was a 'woman of substance'. Her life spanned 19 Presidents, two world wars, and the most technologically oriented period of progress in the history of our evolution as a species. She was born on January 19th, 1902 to Dora Euphena Kay and Francis Claude Wilson, in Leon, County, Texas. She was raised on one of the largest self-sustaining farms in East Texas along with her four brothers and one sister. All the family was required to work daily in an effort to assure the farm ran well and profitably. It is conceivable that Evie's achievement to become a successful business woman in her own right, was learned on the Wilson Farm ruled by the able and exacting hand of her father, called by the many who worked for him, 'the Captain'. And, some would say affectionately and with good humor, 'The fruit don't fall far from the tree'! Evie married Finis Larrison, Sr. in 1919. They had four children, Claudia Blandine, Finis Franklin, Joe Wilson, and Jeff Evan. In the early 1930's, the family moved to Phelps. Evie was appointed Postmaster of the Phelps Post Office in 1937. This appointment was the only time she asked her father for help once she left the farm. Through his political connections at the time, he was able to help secure this position for her. In addition to running the Post Office, Evie opened Larrison Grocery Store and operated it successfully for 27 years. While running her business, she raised four children as a single parent for all practical purposes and in a time when women were not seen as entrepreneurs, much less participating in the male dominated work force. She raised her four children all of whom became successful in their own right, no doubt as a result of the stellar role model she exemplified. Hard work, common sense and practical knowledge were all guided by her strong religious faith. In 1959, she married J.B. Wooten. He was the Railway Agent for Missouri Pacific and stationed at Phelps, Texas. The depot, at that time, was the drop off station for all the mail for Huntsville and Phelps. The experiences Evie had as Post Mistress provides some of the richest and most entertaining stories in the history of the family. The many letters she wrote on behalf of her customers who could not read or write will forever be a treasure in our memory. We can only imagine her astonishment at the development of email today. Family and faith were indivisible in Evie's mind. She repeated to all who would listen that without her faith in God, she and her family would never have been able to survive the tough times they endured. She spent untold hours on her knees praying for help with her faithful servant, Melissy by her side. Together they overcame, affirming Matthew 18:20, that, 'Where two or more are gathered in God's name, nothing is impossible.” Evie would never take credit for, or, praise herself for surviving well. It was God. Yet, those who knew her would say, it took an intelligent perceptive woman, to hear the wisdom of Truth and enact it in her life. During Evie's lifetime, she not only asked and received the help she needed but gave it in return. To her family and to her community she gave of her time, her money, her love. The Phelps Methodist Church sits today on land she gave for its establishment. She had the gift of making people feel respected and special. As a result many would share their problems with her. She in turn would give advice often in the form of a parable. It might take several days for the meaning to become clear but when it did, you realized that it was meant to try and undo the error of your own misjudgments. She, herself, was not always 'perfect' in her human judgments, but she came close because her intention was always to align her will with God's, whether or not in practice she was able to achieve it in every instance. Evie remains today, and always will be, the foundation upon which her family continues to live successful lives. She worked hard through out her life for just this moment when she could rejoin her God, her family and friends in perfect communion. By the peace on her face displayed as she made the transition, we know that her efforts were successful. She would want us to rejoice and be glad. We, of course, will sorely miss her physical presence but she will live on in each of us whose life she touched with her unconditional LOVE and wisdom. No doubt, she will not be able to resist continuing to guide each of us from above, if we but be still and listen. Evie’s survivors include five generations! Her immediate survivors are: Finis Larrison and his wife Lillie Marie (Coot), Joe Larrison and Jeff Larrison. Finis and Joe lived their entire lives in Huntsville, Tx and Jeff lived both in Anahuac, Tx and Huntsville, Tx. All have lived long and productive lives and have had positive impact in the Huntsville, Tx community. She is also survived by her loving niece, Dianne Jordan, formerly of Austin, Tx and now living in Orcas Island, Washington. Her surviving grandchildren are: JoAnn Wright of Temple, Tx, Bill and Jerry Larrison of Huntsville, Tx, John Zachry of San Diego, CA, Nancy Napolitano of Round Rock, Tx, Jan Zachry of San Diego, CA, Larry Larrison of Cleburne, Tx and Virginia (Cissy) Yeager of Anahuac, Tx. In addition, Elvie is survived by sixteen great-grandchildren and twenty-six great-grandchildren, who will be forever influenced by her contributions to their lives for many years to come. Memorial condolences may be left for the family at www.shmfh.com

Evie Alene Wooten

January 19, 1902 - April 7, 2014