Evelyn Mae Gundlach

Evelyn Mae Hedges Gundlach, 89 of Abilene, Texas passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 21, 2024.  A graveside service will be held May 28th 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene.  Evelyn Mae was born June 30, 1935 to Joseph Thomas and Evelyn Adelaide Aitchison Hedges in Brooklyn, New York.   She had one brother Joseph Thomas hedges that was three years older than her.   She met Thomas Gundlach when she was 19 years old and continued dating him through his military service.   Thomas was the love of Evelyn Mae’s life and on June 30, 1956 they were married.

Evelyn Mae and Thomas moved from Brooklyn NY to live in Florida, New Mexico, Arizona and finally Abilene Texas.  Evelyn Mae had two daughters, Gail Evelyn Smith of Abilene and Linda Mae Gardner Eaves of Anna, Texas.  She had four grandchildren, Deanna Joy of Denver, CO, Gary Lynn of Yuba City, CA, Jennifer Renee of Abilene TX and Faith Elizabeth Yuba City CA.  Evelyn also had six great grandchildren: Junior, Ellie, Jayden, Colby, Alexis, Briella. In addition to her immediate family, Evelyn is survived by three sisters, Janet Branch (Jim), Donna Bay (Robert), Nancy Hedges (Robert), and five brothers, Richard Hedges (Laura), Thomas Hedges (Toni), Michael Hedges, Barry Hedges (Melanie) and Gary Hedges and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded into eternity by her parents Joseph and Evelyn and her older brother Joseph.

Growing up as a child she was nicknamed "Susie" by her grandfather. At a very early age her mom taught her the bedtime prayer “Now I lay Me Down to Sleep". She asked Jesus, her Lord and Savior into her life on May 19, 1970 and received her first Bible at the age of 17. Her favorite dish was “Yorkshire Pudding”. Her favorite dessert was oatmeal raisin and chocolate chip cookies. Her first date ended in a car accident with the car hitting two trees and flipping over - no one was hurt. Her most memorable place to visit was Yellowstone National Park. In her words “one has to see it to really capture the beauty of it all”. EveIyn Mae’s most admired, impactful and beloved person in her life was her mom.

In her words, “there is not a day that goes by that I do not think of her’'.  She was a slow eater so her mom would start her 30 minutes before the other kids - still a slow eater. The story of the 'blue plate' and how she obtained that plate (Gail) is tied to her slow eating. Her favorite high school subject was arithmetic, and she always desired to play the piano/organ.  She expressed a desire to take more risks and be more outgoing.  She loved pansies and the color blue. Her favorite Christmas activity was crafting ornaments to give to Gail and Linda.  Silent Night was her favored carol. Favorite dessert to prepare was the “green stuff’. Favorite Christian speakers were Adrian Rogers and Billy Graham; she loved John 3:16. Her favorite hymn was "How Great Thou Art". She is blessed knowing her sins are forgiven and that she will see Jesus.  When asked about what would be the most wonderful gift she could receive, she responded to be baptized and slain in the Holy Spirit.

Evelyn Mae desired a simple graveside service with family and friends with no visiting hours or display of her body.

In lieu of flowers, she requested that all donations be made to a charitable organization(s) of the donor’s choice.