Evelyn L. (Rutledge) Elmore

Surrounded by her loving family, Evelyn Elmore, 88, of Nampa, Idaho was ushered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on April 21, 2020.  If there was ever a woman that left a wake of joy in her path, it was Evelyn.

Born Evelyn Louise Rutledge on November 29, 1931 in Glendale, CA, she was full of mischief and fun from her first day of life.  As a preacher’s daughter with three siblings, her childhood was a training ground for caring for others, being the hands and feet of Jesus to all around her, and seeing everyone through eyes of love. And love she did!

At the age of 4 years, Evelyn was so intrigued with the piano that she began to teach herself to play by ear.  Growing up in the parsonage, she taught Sunday School, played the piano, sang, later played in the Medford Oregon High School marching band and even served as her high school Senior Class President.

Evelyn earned a scholarship to Northwest Nazarene College where she met Emerson Elmore. They married on November 21, 1952 and over the years had four sons: Larry, Doug, Ron and Bob. Their boys remember that, although times were simple, their Mom had a way of always making everything fun. She even taught the boys to sing together and they formed the Elmore boys quartet wearing their matching red jackets with crew cuts, and sang in church in their early years at Franklin Road Church of the Nazarene.

She also enjoyed many accomplishments in the community over the years, including driving a newspaper route for the Idaho Press Tribune for more than 25 years where she made many friends in the Caldwell/Greenleaf/Homedale area.  As an accomplished pianist she played for numerous weddings, funerals and special events.  Evelyn enjoyed a gift of hospitality and shared that gift throughout the years with family, friends and through her involvement as a member of Nampa First Church of the Nazarene.

Having a house full of boys, Evelyn longed for the day when her boys would marry and provide her with some daughters! She called every one of them her “daughters-in-love” and she loved them very well.  As the years passed, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, even her first great-great, came along and filled her heart to overflowing with even more joy and laughter.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Larry and Claudia Elmore of McCall, Ron and Terry Dee Elmore of Garden Valley, Lindee Elmore of Nampa, Bob and Debbie Elmore of Nampa; her sister Ruth Halbert of Nampa; her first daughter-in-love, Deb Davenport, as well as 7 grandchildren; Jason Elmore, Tiffany (Steve) Anchustegui, Kolton Elmore, Kylee Elmore, Hayden Elmore, Lynsey (Ben) Boeckel, Ryan (Nicole) Elmore, 8 great grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, numerous members of her extended family and several dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Margaret Rutledge of Nampa, her brothers, Robert and John Rutledge, her husband, Emerson Elmore and their beloved son, Doug Elmore.

If your life was ever touched in any way by Evelyn Elmore, you can’t help but smile when you think of her. Her penchant for playing practical jokes, her love of the color pink and beautiful music, her God-given touch at the piano, home cooking, baking, laughter, stories, the silly songs she taught the kids, her endless optimism and genuine love for others has made a lasting mark on so many that knew Evie.  Even in the valley of the shadow of death, Evelyn ran with anticipation toward the party that lay ahead of her in heaven. Today she is enjoying a reunion with so many she has loved in heaven and we look forward to the day we will join that party and see her again.

Due to COVID-19, there will not be a public celebration of Evelyn’s life; however, there will be a controlled viewing respecting social distancing held at the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel, 415 12th Avenue South, Nampa, Idaho 83651 on Friday, May 1st from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. All are welcome.  For the protection of everyone there, guests are asked to bring their own masks to wear in accordance to CDC guidelines.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the kind and caring staff along with her dear friends at Creekside Transitional Care & Rehabilitation in Meridian, and in her final days, St. Alphonsus Medical Center, Nampa, and the sweet nurses at Heart ‘n Home Hospice, Meridian.

In lieu of flowers you are welcome to make a memorial contribution in Evelyn’s name to Trinity Pines Camp & Conference Center, Cascade, Idaho.

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