Evelyn Hutton Emfinger

Evelyn Pirtle was born to Ira and Edna Pirtle in Phoenix, Arizona on January 26, 1922 and died at her home in Abilene on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the age of 92. Evelyn married Jack Hutton, who was preaching in Oceanside, California, in 1940. Their marriage began just prior to WWII when Jack was drafted into the Army as a medic. Evelyn stayed home to raise their young children. Following the war they moved to Abilene so Jack could attend ACC and work with the Locust St. Church of Christ. Evelyn and Jack worked faithfully together in ministry with a number of Church of Christ congregations including Oceanside, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Tulia, Texas; Littlefield, Texas; Turkey, Texas; and finally Abilene, Texas which they always considered to be home. In addition to working with various congregations full time, holding gospel meetings, and regular preaching appointments, they served as missionaries for 5 years in Malawi, Africa. After 40 years of marriage, Jack and Evelyn were separated when Jack passed away in 1981. After Jack’s death, she continued to work for the Northwest congregation. Later in 1987, she married Norman Emfinger and moved to Littlefield, Texas. Following Norman’s death in 2009, she returned home to Abilene. As a child of God, Evelyn’s life goal was to serve others, reflect God’s glory, and have an intimate relationship with Jesus. Evelyn was a longtime and faithful member of the Northwest Church of Christ. She was an accomplished artist and pianist, and taught piano lessons in Turkey, and over time gave many of her grandchildren piano lessons. She was a fantastic seamstress and homemaker who worked hard to support her husband in the Lord’s work. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Edna Pirtle; two brothers, Ira Jr. and Albert Pirtle; and two sisters, Lillian Anderson and Ruth Chastain, as well as husband Jack Hutton, husband Norman Emfinger, son John Hutton, son Tim Hutton and grandson Larry Burch. Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Marilyn and husband Phillip Harrelson of Brownfield, TX; son David and wife Glenna Hutton of Abilene; daughter-in-law Gloria Hutton of Paradise, TX; daughter-in-law Sallie Hutton of Waco, TX; daughter-in-law Voleta Hutton; 17 grandchildren; 40 great grandchildren; and 6 great great grandchildren as well as a great host of brothers and sisters in Christ. Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 7, at Northwest Church of Christ in Abilene directed by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in Dreamland Cemetery in Turkey, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family humbly requests that donations be made in her honor to the Christian ministry of your choice.