Evangeline 'Van' Hext

Evangeline "Van" Terrell Hext, 79, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Sunday, May 3, 2009. Van made her home in Vidor for the past 36 years, along with her husband, Joseph, who preceded her in death in 1996.Born in Kingsland, Arkansas on March 22, 1930, Van grew up in Rison, Arkansas and Winfield, Louisiana. She graduated from Arkansas A&M in 1950, with a Degree in Education. In 1968 she obtained a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Stephen F. Austin University. She also completed work through her thesis on her PhD in Adolescent Behavior at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Van had an extensive career as an educator in public schools throughout South East Texas. At various stages of her 40 year career she functioned as an English teacher, Counselor, Assistant Principal, High School Principal and an Alternative School Principal in the Vidor Independent School District. Her extensive educational career also included teaching in the Hampshire-Fannett and Lumberton School Districts. Van was always the commensurate educator with a deep concern for her students, and she always demonstrated a great respect for other teachers and administrators. It was not unusual for past students to stop her family members and comment on how she was an inspiration and a motivator to them, helping them to accomplish higher goals than perhaps they had even set for themselves. Van was the first person in her family to have a college degree, consequently, education and working with students and teachers both in the classroom and throughout their lives was her top goal. She is survived by one son, Gregory W. Hext and his wife Kimberly of Plano, Texas; two daughters, Tamara Hilliard and husband Jim of Mansfield, Texas and Tiffany Nickles and her husband Lon of Beaumont, Texas; six Grandsons; Preston Hext, Blake Hilliard, Max Hilliard, Sam Hilliard, Frank Morrell and Joseph Nickles, and one Granddaughter, Grace Nickles. She was preceded in death by her parents Terrell and Emma Methvin, and her sister Dean Crow.A visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Home in Vidor from 5:30pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday evening, May 6, 2009. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home in Vidor on Thursday, May 7, 2009, at 10:00 am with a graveside service to be held afterward at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont.Vans children would like to thank all family and friends for their thoughts, support and prayers. Additionally, a special thank you is extended to Vans special friends, Michael Coon and Denise Eustice, as well as Walnut Creek Assisted Living and Memory Care Community in Mansfield, Texas.

Cemetery:
Magnolia Cemetery 2291 Pine St., Beaumont, Texas 77703

Visitation:
5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor, 1750 Hwy 12, Vidor, Texas 77662

Service:
10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at Memorial Funeral Home.