Mrs. Mary Evelyn Gresham,76, left her earthly home on February 21, 2013. She was born in Cushing, Texas on March 30, 1936 to parents John Wood and Georgia Haney Wood.
Her funeral service will be conducted by Bro. Bill Jones of Cold Springs Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on Sunday, February 24 at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel. Interment will follow at McKnight Cemetery in Cushing, Texas, where she grew up playing in the creek, and will finally rest there.
Evelyn loved her family first and foremost. Her grandchildren meant the world to her and she played a big part in their upbringing. In fact, their careers began at her home, with Spencer filming movies starring Katy and Tyler and friends, all while driving the car around the yard– at age 10!
Evelyn loved her friends almost as much as family, and considered them as such. She spent many hours on the phone with some each day. She even included Kent Crank and Brad Maule in her family Christmas dinners! Her best friend for over 40 years, Mrs. Robbie Beck, spent many days berry picking and shopping at garage sales with her. In fact, they spent so much time at the mall that they received news of both Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King’s assassinations over the mall loudspeaker! She worked at SFA University for many years in the role of several secretaries for the Geography and Maintenance Departments.
Jeopardy was her favorite show, and she could have easily won had she ever been a contestant. She also loved genealogy and kept detailed records for coming generations.
Evelyn was a smart and witty person, and was elected salutatorian in high school. Her witty comments were loved by everyone on Facebook, including the young people. She was also a member of the Pines Garden Club and the Daughters of the Confederacy where she faithfully served by placing flags on graves of veterans.
Evelyn and Jimmy were married for 58 years, and spent very few of those days apart. Evelyn suffered a stroke almost 20 years ago and Jimmy selflessly and faithfully dedicated himself to her care.
She is preceded in death by her parents; two babies, Terry Triece and Jimmy Triece; brothers, Newton McKnight, Jeff McKnight; and sisters, Esta Lee Weems, and Etha Bell Champion. Evelyn is survived by her loving husband Jimmy T. Gresham; daughter, Suzie Peppard and husband Dan; grandchildren, Spencer Peppard and wife Misti of Nacogdoches, Katy Peppard and husband Chris of Somerset, England, and Tyler Peppard of Nacogdoches; great grandchildren, Morgan Peppard, Annabel Mitford- Peppard; many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Spence Peppard, Tyler Peppard, Jimmy Herring, Brad Maule, Kent Crank, and Loarn Weems.
Memorial contributions may be offered to Gideons International/Nacogdoches Camp/P.O. Box 630453/ Nacogdoches, Texas 75963-0453
Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors 5400 North Street, Nacogdoches, Texas. Online condolences may be offered at www.casonmonk-metcalf.com.
