of Bethesda, AR
September 13, 1927 - November 5, 2014
Evelene Branscum McBride of Bethesda, Arkansas passed away surrounded by her family Wednesday, November 5, 2014. She was born September 13, 1927, in Rosie, Arkansas and was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Oran McBride, Sr.
Evelene worked side by side with Oran to build a company that she was proud to tell anyone had built homes for families, churches for the faithful, and schools to teach thousands. She always had breakfast on the table for anyone that stopped by in the morning and then she went to work doing patio, keeping the books, delivering stone, or picking up parts. She was there when many of the grandkids got off the bus with the best fried potatoes ever made, a Holly bologna sandwich, and a Dr. Pepper waiting for them in the kitchen. She would throw whichever kids that showed up onto a forklift and head to the quarry for sandstone. She rarely lost her patience no matter how many kids were crawling around while she was trying to work and was brave enough to drive all thirteen of her grandkids in a van all the way to Disney World for vacation.
Evelene was known to her family and friends as Nanny. She made the best slaw, fried potatoes, peanut butter cake, stir-fry, soup, chili, and gravy on the planet; and always shared the recipe which usually involved 'a little bit of this, a handful of that, and a touch of bacon grease.' She took pride in a garden that fed generations of her family and produced salsa and chow-chow that flew out of her cupboards as fast as she could make it. She grew the most beautiful irises in all the colors of the rainbow and seemed to do nothing more to them than throw them in the ground and toss some dirt over them. Her home was filled to the risers with pictures of her family and beautiful glass and crystal chickens that she had received through the years as presents from her family. Most of her grandkids first memories are of her cooking, gardening, taking them on trips, having her long black hair put up in a bun in the kitchen, or picking Easter lilies out back. She was a lady in the truest sense of the word and will never be forgotten.
Evelene and Oran had a marriage that not only stood the test of time, but gave their family a unity that is rarely seen. She never took off her ring and the memory of her cutting potatoes against it will never fade from her families' minds. Her ring was a symbol of the endless love she had for Oran that was evident all the days of their marriage and as she cared for him in his last days. It is a comfort to her family to know that they are again together in heaven as two people who have loved so thoroughly should be. If Oran was the heart of the family, Evelene was the foundation. She never faltered in her love of her husband, her dedication to the company, or her devotion to her family.
Survivors include two sons, Oran McBride Jr. and Dennis McBride, and two daughters, Diane McBride Harbin and Darlene Page, all of Bethesda; fifteen grandchildren, Melissa Wrinkle, Oran Samuel McBride III, Christopher Huckaba, Leslie Huckaba, Patricia Rouge, Jennifer McGee, Jody Page, Angelia McBride, Lisa Sharp, Nicole Fichtner, Jeremy Page, Casey Page, Katie McBride, Jerry Anna Page and Amber Page; twenty-two great-grandchildren, Erica McKinney, Amy Wrinkle, Allana Huckaba, Elizabeth Ingram, Angel Huckaba, Kirstin Rouse, Alexander McGee, Allie Page, Samantha McGee, Cameron Sharp, Violet Page, Hayden Joe Huckaba, Aiden Sharp, Elijah McGee, Xzavier Page, Finn Fichtner, Ethan Page, Kaden Page, Aubrey Page, Samuel Page, Bert Fichtner and Kagan Swift; three great-great-grandchildren, Brylee Blake, Jaycee Blake and Lilly Taylor; a brother, Marcus Branscum of Rosie; and three sisters, Kathleen Pectol of Melbourne, Mae Fike of Maple Springs and Emma Kever of Melbourne.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Edmund Branscum and Meda Mandanni Young Branscum; husband, Oran Samuel McBride Sr.; brothers, Ulis Branscum, John Ed Branscum, Archie Branscum and Logan Branscum; and sisters, Faye Elumbaugh and Wanda Lee Lingo.
There will be a funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2014, at Rosie Baptist Church with Bro. Farrell Miller officiating.
Burial will be in Wyatt Cemetery in Rosie under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville.
Pallbearers will be Chris Huckaba, Oran Samuel McBride III, Jody Page, Casey Page, Jeremy Page, Matt McGee, Donnie Branscum, Dannie Branscum, Stephen McBride and Mark Branscum.
Honorary pallbearers are all employees ''past and present'' of McBride Stone; all nephews; and all great-grandsons.
Visitation is from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, 2014, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
i dont remember a lot about nanny but i know she was amazing also diane mcbride is actaully named eve mcbride they just called her diane i remember her glass chickens and we still have them she was amazing also HOW DID YOU KNOW MY NAME AND MY SISTERS NAME ITS CREEPY this must have been by a family member
I miss u nanny.
so sorry but now she is free of pain
Sorry for your lost she was a great lady.
So sorry for the loss of a loved one! I've know the McBride family for lots of years! Such great people! Sorry I will be able to attend funeral tomorrow but will be thinking of you all! David will be there. Love Deborah
So sorry for the families loss! I've known the McBride family for lots of years, great people! Just wanted you to know I'm thinking about all of you. I will be out of town tomorrow , but you are in my prayers. Deborah
She leaves a great legacy of family.
Mrs. McBride was a wonderful lady and will be missed by everyone that knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this time.
In Christ,
Laura Anderson
We are so sorry for your loss.
So sorry for the loss of such a wonderful person, may the wonderful memories help ease your pain.