Carolyn Rose Evans

Carolyn Rose Evans December 13, 1946 – March 5, 2018 Carolyn Rose “Lynnie” Bailey was born in Medford, Oregon to Glen and Joan Bailey. After graduating from Medford Senior High School in 1965, Carolyn attended Southern Oregon University for a year, then completed her college education at Northwest Christian University in Eugene. Lynnie married John Evans November 29, 1968 and they traveled to Claremont, California where her husband pursued a graduate degree in Theology. While in Claremont Carolyn Managed and served as chief cook at The Broken Loaf, a cafeteria of the Claremont School of Theology. She also was the Manager of married student residential housing for the Disciples Seminary Foundation. In 1972 her first child, Jeremiah, was born. In 1974 the family moved to Bakersfield, and in 1975 Lynnie’s second child, Emily was born. The family moved to Merced, California in 1977 and then on to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1982. In March 1991 the Evanses arrived in Corvallis and have remained here since then. As a child and then through her teen years, Carolyn was active in the First Christian Church of Medford. She met her future husband in the Chi Rho Youth Group in the 7th grade. Lynnie has remained active in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) throughout her life. She dedicated her efforts supporting her husband (who became a pastor), nurturing children and youth through programs of the church. Carolyn led in the preparation of foods, organizing charitable fund raising efforts, as well as strongly advocating for justice issues. In Southern California she marched for peace and against world hunger. She rallied with others against the Ku Klux Klan in central California. She helped found and organize hospice programs in Merced and Grants Pass. In Grants Pass she found help for teenage victims of child abuse, advocated for Planned Parenthood and marched for women’s right to choose. She taught youth about the importance of Martin Luther King, Jr and the Civil Rights Movement. In the First Christian of Corvallis, Lynnie helped organize children’s education, and youth activities. For seventeen years she taught groups of youth in Corvallis. Carolyn was also very active in preparing meals for many church programs and was a part of a group of women that promoted First Christian’s involvement with Stone Soup. Carolyn was active in church leadership until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Though the church has always been important to Carolyn, the primary focus of her life has been her family. She has been a full-time wife, mother and grandmother. In California she was a Camp Fire leader and a Soccer Mom (before the term was introduced). She cheered her children on through every sport they participated in. and supported them in their academic pursuits. She attended every concert and play and activity of her children. Though she led a very active life outside the home, the maintenance of her household was always at the forefront. In her 10 years of surviving cancer, Lynnie did her best to love and support her grandchildren in their activities. One of Carolyn’s great joys, was being able to live in the same house with two of her grandchildren, through the past ten years. Carolyn has regretted she couldn’t spend more time with her youngest grandchild who lives in Portland. Carolyn was an avid gardener. She especially loved to plant and tend roses, rhodies and iris. She was a canner of fruit. Lynnie was an avid bargain hunter, clipping coupons, going to yard sales, shopping at Goodwill; a real-live penny pincher. She was an accomplished seamstress. In her younger years she sewed clothes for the family, including a sport coat for her husband. Later she sewed wedding clothes for the bride and groom when her son was married. In Corvallis Lynnie sewed hundreds of blankets and hats, some of which she sold at the church’s annual Craft Fair. This funded her ability to give away most of the items she made to charitable organizations, friends and especially to those in need. Lynnie’s diagnoses of invasive inflammatory breast cancer in 2008 led to multiple surgeries, separate rounds of radiation and constant chemotherapy. It took a tremendous toll on this “action oriented” person. The family is grateful for all the excellent care received through Samaritan Health Services: notably surgeons, oncologists, nurses (especially those at ambulatory infusion). Almost 10 years after diagnosis, Carolyn was accepted into the care of Lumina Hospice December 6, 2017. The compassion, care and advocacy of the doctors, nurses, social workers, bath aids, volunteer visitors, chaplains, indeed of all those who do the good work of Lumina Hospice is deeply appreciated. The family is also grateful for the love and support we have received from our faith community throughout our lives. Carolyn died Monday March 5 in the living room of the family home. Carolyn requested there be no memorial service. The Folk Musicians of First Christian Church are inviting everyone to attend a “This-is-Not-a Memorial Service” Event in the sanctuary Thursday, March 8 at 3pm. Memorial gifts in Carolyn’s name can be made to First Christian Church of Corvallis. The church will gladly deliver any gifts designated for Lumina Hospice or Samaritan Health Services to those organizations.

Tributes

Carolyn Rose Evans

December 13, 1946 - March 5, 2018