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During her childhood years, she professed Christ and joined Kittrell First Baptist Church of Kittrell. She inherited a rich legacy of faith, family, character, leadership, education and entrepreneurship from her mother and father. Evelyn’s parents had a keen business sense and unflagging work ethic. Her father excelled in the agriculture area, owning farms and a lucrative business on U.S. 1. These early teachings taught her the importance of financial stability and guided her own outstanding work ethic.
Evelyn was an honorary graduate of the Henderson Institute, Class of 1995. While there, she was a member of the Drama Club, the cheerleading squad and the Crown and Scepter Honor Society. After high school, she matriculated at Saint Agnes Hospital School of Nursing in Raleigh. While at St. Agnes, Evelyn received an extensive nursing education at Saint Louis Hospital in Saint Louis, Mo. Her compassion to help others led to her 45-year career in the nursing profession as a registered nurse and health educator. During her training in Raleigh, she met and married Dr. William H. Garner of Franklinton, and to this union two daughters were born: Iris and Angela.
Her formal education included the attainment of multiple degrees. She received her initial nursing credentials from Saint Agnes School of Nursing in Raleigh, and received both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in health education, nursing, administration and supervision from the University of the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C.
Evelyn’s appointments in the nursing field provided comfort and care to countless patients at several facilities. For more than four decades, se fulfilled her purpose in life—to help others. She was employed at the Jubilee Hospital in Henderson; the John Umstead Hospital as head and lead nurse; the Murdoch Center; the N.C. Women’s Department of Corrections; the Wake Forest Hospital; Pine Crest Manor; Howard University Hospital; the D.C. General Hospital; George Washington University Hospital; the D.C. General Hospital; George Washington University Hospital; as lead nurse for Vance County schools; and as director of student health services and college nurse at Kittrell College.
Her entrepreneurship interest led her to provide housing to many families in need through the Garner Real Estate Company, which she owned and managed for several years. She was a caring and giving person who was determined to help others.
Evelyn held a membership in the U.S. Agriculture Council; the D.C. Nurses Association; the National Education Association; the Jubilee Hospital Sharing Club; and the School Nurses Council. Her church affiliations were with the New Birth Christian Temple Church in Franklinton, which she co-founded. She was committed to her missionary work, her deaconess work and to the church offices throughout the years.
She leaves this legacy of love and reconciliation to her loving husband of 56 years, Dr. William H. Garner; two daughters, Iris E. Garner of Kittrell and Angela G. Davis (Harold) of Henderson; a loving and devoted granddaughter, Angelica R. Davis of Raleigh; one sibling, Mary K. Woods of Bowie, Md.; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 1, at New Birth Christian Temple Church, 525 South Main Street, Franklinton, at 2 p.m., with Rev. Billy E. Williams officiating and Rev. Spotswood Burwell Jr. providing the eulogy. Entombment was in Meadowview Memorial Park in Oxford.
Arrangements by Wright Funeral Home.