Evelyn McQuitty

Evelyn McQuitty, a gentle soul and beloved matriarch, graced the world with her presence from February 21, 1931, until her peaceful passing on February 26, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas. The first of five children born to Chester and Wilma Scott, she was raised with unwavering love, respect and faith in our creator, in a sod house on the family homestead near the small town of Pence, Kansas. She was a model child and loving big sister who thrived in the rural farm life.

While working at a soda shop in Scott City, her beauty and kind nature caught the eye of a handsome farmhand. Theirs would prove to be a first and forever love. Evelyn and Gerald W. McQuitty were married on October 15, 1950, in the first such ceremony to be held at the recently completed Pence Community Church. Evelyn’s foundation of cheerfully doing what was necessary, without complaint, would soon be exercised as Gerald was drafted into the army, just months later. The exciting news that they would be expecting their first child was tempered with the realization that Evelyn would be on her own for this event. True to her nature, when labor did begin, Evelyn quietly gathered her prepared bag and walked the one and a half miles to the hospital, so as not to be a burden to anyone. In a future pregnancy, she would stand with her husband outside the church, seeing off the congregation after a Father’s Day Sunday service. Only after the last guest had departed, did she finally take his arm and inform him that they needed to head to the hospital immediately, as their child would be entering the world at any moment. Once again, she did not wish to be a disruption to anyone. Her eventual seven children would ultimately learn to accept this as an endearing trait of their mother, since she would not be swayed from it.

With the family having grown to three lovely girls, Evelyn would start on the path toward a new phase, that of pastor’s wife. She was so well suited for this role that it’s no wonder that God brought her together with Gerald and called on him to take up this charge. The family would relocate to Kansas City, MO for Gerald to attend Bible College, before moving back across the state line to the small village of Morse, KS. This would mark the beginning of nearly 30 years of active service at the Morse Union Church.

The full extent of Evelyn’s role as the church pastor’s wife can likely only be fully understood by others who have shared those duties. She would handle everything from housekeeping to teaching bible lessons in the children’s class in the church. Sunday mornings at the parsonage would invariably begin with the wonderful aroma of some delicious baked good (her cinnamon rolls were nothing short of amazing), that would seemingly just appear to wake the household. It was always a bit of a mystery how she so effortlessly found the time to tend to her growing personal family, as well as her church family. If there was ever a fussy child at the church, Evelyn would quietly appear with outstretched arms to relieve the exhausted mother. A few moments in her arms were typically all that would be necessary to restore peace and calm. Her ability as a baby whisperer was treasured by all of those who found themselves in need.

Growing up on a farm instilled the practice of never being idle, which surely helped lead Evelyn to return to the workforce, as soon as her youngest child started kindergarten. This would mark the beginning of a nearly twenty-year career as an Electronics Inspector at King Radio Corporation. Aside from putting her diligent work ethic to good use, she greatly enjoyed this opportunity to add an entirely new group of coworker friends. Throughout her career, she would speak fondly of the very good people in her work family.

Most parents are familiar with playing chauffeur and supporting their children’s activities. The extent of that effort can get overwhelming when you have seven active children and a husband who steps up with additional responsibilities such as scout leader, and coach/official/equipment and field manager of every sport available. Evelyn possessed a remarkable ability to manage and support all of the family’s activities. This was especially true of any sport. A lesser-known fact about Evelyn, at least during her child raising years, was that she had a love for her sports and sports teams. With the decreased responsibilities in her later years, she was never shy about her love for her Royals and Chiefs. Game days were always met with her dressed out in team gear and she would want to keep up on all important news, especially where it pertained to “our” Patrick, as she would invariably refer to Patrick Mahomes. She tried to instill sportsmanship and respect in sports with her own children and she very much appreciated those traits in her favorite player.

Evelyn’s final act as devoted pastor’s wife would see her supporting her beloved husband through his ten-month battle with leukemia. She would, quite literally, remain by Gerald’s side until God chose to call him home in 1985. As no surprise to any who knew them, this marked no change in their love beyond a physical separation. Evelyn carried on as caretaker of the church property for a number of years, and was always up for a visit from any passerby who noted her out tending to her flowers.

Evelyn was among the most rare of human beings, who was loved and cherished by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilma and Chester, two brothers, Stuart and Howard, her forever love, husband Gerald, and daughter-in-law Paula. She is survived by her sister Jodi (Rus) Cerretti, brother Norman (Marion) Scott, her children Cheri Harms, Rena Dicus, Joy Deats, Joel, April Bowen, Timothy (Debbie), and David; 24 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren.

She loved to keep alive the practice of written correspondence marking any occasion and was also gifted at remembering the birthdays, anniversaries, and significant dates of friends and family, all of whom could expect to receive a handwritten note adorned with a heartfelt Bible verse, marking the event—a reflection of her devoted faith and love.

Evelyn’s personality was characterized by her kindness and acceptance of others, never known for voicing an unkind thought, rather offering compliments that uplifted the spirits of everyone she encountered. Her nurturing nature extended beyond her family; she found joy in nurturing plants back to health, imbuing her garden with life and beauty, and was simply never known to pass by a flower without taking a moment to appreciate it’s beauty. She dedicated her quiet moments to reading the Bible, drawing strength and inspiration from its sacred words. She possessed a deep love of all animals that would always be returned in kind. Her fondness for animals further showcased her gentle heart, embodying the selfless love that echoed throughout her life.

Evelyn leaves us for her long awaited grand reunion with her Savior, husband, and many loved ones. She will surely be awaiting those of us in this world, with those same outstretched arms, to welcome us into the peace and calm of God’s Kingdom. Until then, she would want to send us all “bushels and bundles of love”.

Always modest, Evelyn requested only a private family graveside service.

You can best honor her life by following her example of taking up a pen and mailing a hand-written note of encouragement or thanks to someone present in your thoughts.

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