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Evelyn May Stanford Givens, 81, of Rushsylvania, died Sunday, July 23, 2017. She was in her kitchen doing what she did every Sunday morning, preparing Sunday dinner for her family. The tables were set, the stove was humming and she was almost ready.
She was born Nov. 11, 1935, and was the youngest daughter of AJ and Viola May Snyder Stanford.
She married her sweetheart, William P. Givens, on Aug. 17, 1952, and he preceded her in death Sept. 24, 2013, after 61 years of marriage.
She is survived by her children, Cathy (Keith) LeVan, Deborah (Joe) Clem, Robert Givens, Brenda (Nick Phillips) McMillen and Christopher (Dawn) Givens. Evelyn was so proud of each and every one of her grandkids, Jamond LeVan, Joseph LeVan, Januah Anspach, Mackenzie Koppel, Judd Clem, Seth Clem, Chance Givens, Jessica Bergman and Kirsten Givens; stepgrandkids, Alan Clem and Angela Tabbi; 18 great-grandkids; her big brother, Richard (Pat) Stanford; her sister-like cousin, Joann (John) Shroyer; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Newland and Sandy Buck. She was a loving aunt to many, many nieces and nephews. She also was preceded in death by her siblings, Charles Stanford and Minnie Jane Givens Jeffrey.
Evelyn graduated from Rushsylvania High School in 1952 and was a member of the Big Springs and Rushsylvania United Methodist Churches. As a young mother, she loved teaching Bible School and being a 4-H adviser where she taught many how to cook.
Evelyn was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and never ever put herself or her needs above any of those who depended on her to love and care for them. And she did it to the end. She was not perfect but pretty close.
Her “job” was always to take care of Bill and the kids and, other than working in her dad’s general store, she didn’t work outside her home until her kids were able to take care of themselves (sort of). At that time, she worked as a seamstress at Holloway Sportswear in Jackson Center where she retired in the fall of 1991.
She and Bill were members of the Hi-Point See Saws Square Dance Club for many years. After retirement, they enjoyed winter trips to Arizona, Texas and Florida. Her favorite pastime was her family but she also enjoyed reading, playing cards, putting puzzles together, watching OSU football and basketball, coloring and even mastered the art of playing solitaire on the iPad.
Sunday dinner this week didn’t go as scheduled but the menu wasn’t wasted. As usual, there was something for everyone, and in her honor dinner tonight is ham, cheesy potatoes, mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed broccoli and cauliflower with cheese, fresh green beans from the garden, green bean casserole, scalloped corn, steamed corn, baked beans, mac-n-cheese, tossed salad, deviled eggs, fresh pineapple, watermelon, dill and sweet pickles and cheese to snack on, fresh apple pie, butterscotch pie and plenty of sweet tea to wash it down. Thank you, mom, as usual. It was delicious and we did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.
Visitation is from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, at Eichholtz Daring and Sanford Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine, where the funeral is at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, following an hour of visitation. Pastor John James officiates. A graveside service is at a later date in the Rushsylvania Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Big Springs United Methodist Church, 5636 State Route 274, Rushsylvania OH 43347 and Rushsylvania United Methodist Church, 152 Rush St., Rushsylvania OH 43347.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.edsfh.com.