Stella Nola Haun Rideout

Stella Nola Haun Rideout was a remarkable woman.  In her quiet, calm, thoughtful way she brought joy and beauty into the lives of those who knew her.  She was a scholar and craftsman; a homemaker and businesswoman; a teacher as well as a student. Using her many talents and skills, she filled her life with service to others.

Stella was born on July 12, 1926, in Catawba, West Virginia.  Her father was a coal miner and an entrepreneur; her mother was a homemaker and caregiver to 8 children, with Stella as the youngest.

On August 15, 1944, Stella married Holbert Rideout, her brother’s college roommate, which began a long, happy marriage of 62 years.  She was blessed with six children:  Larry, Janna, Deryl, Teryl, Kent, and Nyla.

During the early years of her marriage, Stella concentrated on nurturing her six children and helping her husband build a Christ-centered home.  When all of her children were in school, she began teaching at Abilene Christian Schools and very soon completed a Master’s degree in library science.  With a move to Abilene ISD, she served as a dedicated teacher and librarian for many years.

After retiring, she and Holbert spent many years traveling and enjoying their lives as grandparents to numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even a few great, great grandchildren.

Stella’s life was one of service to others.  She nurtured her children.  She nursed her husband during his long illness.  She volunteered and gave her time to many organizations.  Even when she moved to a retirement facility, she gave to others through gifts of encouragement and service.

Stella will be remembered as a beautiful person, inside and out.  She was sweet, loving, kind, tender, smart, inventive, dedicated, and deeply spiritual.  Even though she will be greatly missed, she lives on in all the people she influenced.  She will be remembered with a smile and the knowledge that hers was truly a life well lived.

A visitation with the family will be held Thursday, October 13 ^th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St with a private family graveside service later at Buffalo Gap Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Holbert and Stella Rideout Religious Education Endowed Scholarship that is set up at ACU.  Please contact the Gift Records office at 325-674-2612 or by mail at Gift Records ACU Box 29132 Abilene, TX 79699.