Rose Evelyn Whitehurst, age 91, passed away on July 18, 2021. Evelyn was born February 18, 1930 in Harrison County, Texas to Clarence and Gertrude Southerland. She was a member of Valley View Baptist Church.

Evelyn was employed as a long-distance telephone operator by the phone company until retirement. After retirement she liked to work in her yard planting and watering her flowers and harvesting her vegetable garden. Evelyn was a good cook who enjoyed preparing meals for her family especially around the holidays. Her family and grand-children were most important in her life and she cherished her time with them.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her devoted husband of 66 years, Roy Whitehurst; son, Bruce Whitehurst; daughter, Denise Powers; sisters, Ray Dale Smith, Vivian Trice; brothers, Victor Southerland, Glen Southerland; great-grandson, Andy Greer.

Those left to cherish her memory are daughter, Linda Whitehurst of Longview; son, Larry Whitehurst and wife Melinda of Longview; grandchildren, Kevin Greer of Rockport; Eric Greer and wife Dawn of Rockport; Shane Whitehurst of Longview; Jeremy Whitehurst and wife Erin of Hallsvillle; Brandon Whitehurst of Lake Tahoe, California; Amanda Famer of Ottumwa, Iowa; Jessica Brewster of Longview; Kristina Woods and husband Sean of Tyler; 12 great-grandchildren; 4 great—great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff of Parkview Memory Care and East Texas Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Friday, July 23, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Garden Court of Welch Funeral Home. A Life Celebration funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home with Bro. Charles Hunt officiating.