Evelyn Ailts Derrington
1961 – 2022
Evelyn was born on October 1st, 1961, to Dr. Bernard H. Ailts and Lucy Testa Ailts of Abilene, Texas. Evelyn was 60 at the time of her passing.
Preceding her in death were her parents, and sister, Ginny Walford. The following family members survive her, sister, Carol Johns, nephew, Mike Johns; sister, Amy Munhall and husband David, nieces Stephanie Fry, and Leslie Grayson, brother Rick Ailts and wife Melissa; sister Karla Launhardt and husband Bob, and nieces Kalli and Lauren.
Evelyn graduated from Cooper High School in 1979, Abilene, Texas. She was involved with Young Republicans and lettered in diving and swimming. She attended Austin College in Sherman, Texas for 2 years then transferred her studies to The University of Texas, in Austin, where she graduated in 1983. She received her J.D. with Honors, May 1988 from St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, Texas. She was the Editorial Board Research Note/Comment Editor for St. Mary’s Law Journal, and a member of the John M. Harlan Honors Society.
During the summer of 1987 and 1988, she was a law clerk for the venerable Mr. Richard Orsinger, Heard, Goggan, Blair & Williams, San Antonio, Texas. She worked as a briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court Chief Justices William Kilgarlin and Nathan Hecht, during the 1988-1989 term. Evelyn had a passion and a gift for law studies. She was published, and was a member of many associations. She was board certified in Civil Appellate Law by the state of Texas in 1994. She was a director for Phillips and Akers Law Firm, Head of the appellate section, in Houston Texas from 1992 to 2014, until the firm dissolved. She was dedicated to her profession, and she loved those with whom she worked.
Evelyn was married to John Derrington and was widowed.
In 2014, Evelyn was unable to continue her law career due to health issues. She moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to be closer to family. Her health continued to decline, and received the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Evelyn died of a heart attack on August 11th, 2022.
She fought a good fight, but her body could not fight any longer.
Anyone that knew Evelyn, knew she was kind, loving to a fault, and put the needs of others before her own. If she could have had the opportunity to retire, she would have loved to have a piece of land with horses and plenty of orphan cats and dogs. She loved to ride horses in her youth and college years.
Our family would like to thank all of those who cared for her. The staff at Kickingbird Apartments, her caregivers at Guardian Angels, and Edmond Mobile Meals who not only bring a warm meal, they brought kindness and compassion. We also so appreciated Dr. Emily Reed and Dr. Catherine Porter. They listened and cared for her. They showed tender mercies to a hurting patient.
I am confident she is with Jesus, out of the constant pain, struggle, worry, and fear. Jesus is the answer…
There will be a small family Memorial Service. Any gifts in memory of Evelyn should be directed to Edmond Mobile Meals.
Edmond Mobile Meals
25 West 3rd Street
Edmond, Oklahoma 73003