Evelyn Way, died Monday, September 2, 2013 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
Evelyn G. Way was born December 19, 1929 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Raymond R. and Nora (Williams) Garrard, the fourth of six children.
She spent all her childhood years in Shreveport before graduating from Fair Park High School in 1947. Following graduation, she worked at the Post Exchange at Barksdale Air Force Base where she met the love of her life, James L. Way, Jr. After a six-month courtship, Jim and Evelyn were married September 3, 1948, in Shreveport.
The Air Force took Jim and Evelyn to Lubbock, Texas and Las Vegas, Nevada before Jim was sent to Korea. Evelyn moved back to Shreveport, where she gave birth to their first child, Patty. Upon Jim’s return from Korea, the family moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, and Evelyn became a fulltime homemaker. While living in Lincoln, the family was joined by their son John. Jim was transferred with the Burlington Railroad to Alliance in 1960, where Evelyn and Jim have made their home ever since.
Evelyn was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher for many years, was active in the Presbyterian Women’s Circle, and served as a Deacon. She was also a member of Chapter GC, PEO, where she served as president. She acted as president of the DeMolay Mothers’ Club, served on the Box Butte County Election Board and was a lifetime member of the Friends of the Library.
Evelyn was born and raised a southern woman, and her style was gracious and warm in every way. Her home was a reflection of that style, and she enjoyed decorating her home for the purpose of entertaining those who were central to her being, her friends and her family. She was humble and selfless, loyal and committed. She loved life. She loved her friends. She loved and inspired her family each and every day.
Evelyn is survived by her children, Patty and Steve Nelson of Alliance and John and Cindy Way of Rapid City, South Dakota; her grandsons, Joel Way of Rapid City, Adam Way of Vermillion, South Dakota, and Brandon Way of Kearney; step-grandchildren, Chris and Emily Nelson; and step-great grandson, Cooper Nelson of Alliance. She is also survived by her brothers, Jack Garrard and wife Mattie, Ted Garrard and wife Ruth, all of Shreveport, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her parents; her sister, Edna Smith and husband Cloyd; her brothers, Raymond Garrard, Jr. and Ray Henry Garrard and four grandpuppies.
Funeral services will be Saturday, September 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Stephen T. Roosa officiating. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 2-8 p.m. at the Bates-Gould Funeral Home.
Memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church or to Prairie Haven Hospice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com.