Julia Hilda Shrout, resident of Emerald Pointe Senior Living in Keizer, passed away Nov. 19, 2019 at the age of 95.
She was born to Lewis and Julia Honeycutt on July 4, 1924, in Hickory, N.C. Her family moved to Albemarle, N.C., where she graduated from high school. She began working as city editor of the Stanley News and Press in her hometown. She left for Anderson College in Indiana during the fall of 1943.
In 1946, she met Bill Shrout, who was recently discharged from the U.S. Navy. They were married on Feb. 8, 1947, in Anderson, and shared 62 years of happy marriage together until his passing in 2009.
During the ‘50s and ‘60s, Julia shifted her attention to raising a family and imparting her faith in Christ and love for God in their local church and community. She also worked at various positions in office settings and substitute teaching. She completed her bachelor’s degree in English and teacher education at Warner Pacific College in 1968 and worked part time as an intake worker for Multnomah County Mental Health.
In 1969, she was hired at Mt. Hood Community College where her first reading program classroom was held in a portable trailer parked on a tennis court. She also provided departmental leadership and received various education awards until her retirement from full-time teaching in 1988.
In every community in which Bill and Julia made their home, serving Jesus and serving others was a priority. Examples include involvement with local schools, scouting, children’s ministry, Sunday school teacher, and she served as a pianist and organist. Starting in 1979, Julia provided English language learning and cultural acquisition for a Laotian congregation that thrived for many years. In 2007, she received the Distinguished Alumni Legacy Award from Warner Pacific College.
She lived at Emerald Pointe until her passing, where she cherished a community of beloved friends. Julia was known for her involvement in social events, bean-bag baseball, leadership for hymn sings and encouraging others.
Julia’s family was at her bedside when she stepped into eternity during the evening hours on Nov. 19. She was the last one of her generation in her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Shrout; son-in-law, Steve Graham; and daughter-in-law, Toni Shrout. She is survived by her daughter Linda (Raul Villalva) Shrout Graham; sons Terry (Betty Jo) Shrout, and Rick Shrout; grandchildren Charley (Melissa) Graham, Laura Avina, Jonathan (Carissa) Shrout, Melissa Shrout, and Sarah (John) Peters; great-grandchildren Andy Avina, Benjamin Avina, and Zyra Shrout.
Julia’s celebration of life service will be held on Dec. 7 at Oak Park Church of God in Salem at 2 p.m.
Internment was at Willamette National Cemetery. Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.