Lois Evans Hildrich

FISK — On Wednesday, Sept. 25, Lois Evans Hildrich, known as Molly to her family and friends, of Poplar Bluff, passed away at the age of 74. Molly was born May 16, 1945 to William (Bill) Evans and Effie Mary McGowin Evans in Fraley, Mo. She was the baby of the family of thirteen children sharing her birth date with her twin sister Joyce Starks. She was preceded in death by her parents. Siblings preceding her in death include brothers J. B., Vernon Lee, Bill Junior, Lewis Leon; sisters Lottie Mae, Louise, Bonita (Top), Lovera (Tiny), Connie Sue, Peggy Ruth, and Shirley Ann.

Oct. 22, 1960, she married Freddie Joseph Hildrich who preceded her in death (Feb. 26, 2002). Fred served in the United States Marine Corps and they were a traveling military family. They lived in California, Hawaii, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Missouri. Fred retired from the Marine Corps and settled in Poplar Bluff where he served as animal control officer for the City of Poplar Bluff. Fred and Molly have a daughter, Christina and a son, Fred. Molly was especially proud of her son, Fred Hildrich, Deputy Commander at DLA Distribution Red River, Texas, and loved her daughter-in-law Lena and their daughter, Haley White, husband Daniel and their three children – Amari, Akira, and Asaiyah, and son Martin (Taz) Williams. Her daughter Chris and husband Stephen Waite said, “They shared a lot of good times together and made many happy memories.” Grandma Molly and Grandpa Fred helped take care of their children, Stephen and KaCee as they grew up and spent many an evening at the ballpark and served as chauffeurs, suppliers of donuts, pizza, and sleepovers. As adults, KaCee married Anthony Rider and they have a daughter, Aubrey. Stephen married Ashley McCauley and they have two sons, Max and Mason. Grandma Molly enjoyed rewarding the kids for their accomplishments in school and watching the boys play sports, Aubrey dance, do word search puzzles, watch crime shows on TV, sit at the kitchen table, and was often a student for teacher, Miss Aubrey Rider.

Molly loved working outside keeping her lawn manicured (short enough to be able to see a snake) and loved gardening. She was the master of growing okra. She liked cleaning house and kept everything organized. She loved the foods she grew up on like fried okra, beans, cornbread and sweet tea. She also enjoyed a good coconut crème pie. She liked to dance which came from her father, who in his younger years, they say he did not miss a barn dance. Molly was a hard worker and her career included thirteen years civil service, worked as a certified nurses aide, seven years at Wonder Bread, and Brownie’s Day Care. She took care of her elderly mother and her husband, Fred when his health failed. Molly liked to drive and also go junkin’! She could find the best bargains and unique items. Some of her family members have inherited the junkin’ gene. When she downsized and moved in with her son in New Boston, Texas – her kitchen cookware including iron skillets, had to make the move with her.

Molly was of the Pentecostal Faith. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk. Funeral services will follow at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jason Daves of Moberly, Mo. officiating. Burial will be at Mole Hill cemetery in Broseley. Memorials can be made to Mole Hill Cemetery.

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