Bevoline Flora Evans

Bevoline Flora Evans, age 95, formerly of Boones Mill, a resident of Spokane, WA passed peacefully on May 22, 2014. She was the daughter of Wilbur Lee and Pearl May Blackwell Flora of Boones Mill, VA and the wife of Bruce A. Evans, MD who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by an infant sister, Ermer May Flora and brother, Buford Lee Flora.

The mother of Andy Evans, Karen Lee Ellis and aunt of Lee Flora, Lynn Flora and Pam Sweeney, with numerous family, she was known as "Mother" or "Aunt Bev" or simply as "Mom." We live by her example and she will be sorely missed. Bev was born on a farm in southwest Virginia in a house that still stands today, with a porch swing overlooking a gravel road that leads to a milk barn, in the summer of 1918.

She grew up up in Roanoke and graduated high school in Boones Mill where her many friends --because of her small size--called her "little bit." She was fun to be with and everybody liked her. She attended National Business College and upon graduation, took a job in what was then "the War Department." Housing was limited in Washington, DC and she met her future husband at Mrs. Wilson's boarding house on 'K' Street. Bruce was in the Army, attending medical school at George Washington University and she told us he had to give up his room for her and go live with a roommate.

They were married in 1945 at Boones Mill Church of the Brethren and moved to Spokane where Bruce completed his internship and residency at St. Luke's Hospital in 1948. For recreation they spent time driving the back roads of Spokane County. When Bev worked in the War Department she read maps, helping navigators and pilots plot targets over Germany. Bruce liked to drive and Bev was good with directions. She delighted in the numerous occasions where she could tell her husband "where to go!"

Bev was baptized in Virginia in the Church of the Brethren, knew many of the old practices and could sing hymns by heart. She studied piano under "Miss Kate" Mills. After joining Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in 1953 she served as a Deacon, Elder and Sunday School teacher. But her favorite activity was a group she and Bruce helped start called "the Sunday Nighter's." It was the "Fifties" and following Korea (when Bruce was called once again to serve) and everyone was tired of war, they gathered together in fellowship and to have a little fun. Bev was a gifted homemaker and even though she moved out west, she never lost her flair of "southern hospitality" and many enjoyed her delicious cooking.

She was good at games, played bridge and had "good card sense." She reveled as much when she brought home the "penny pot" (bad cards of course) as she did when she won; giving each win or loss, equal merit. She was a good sport.

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Spokane, WA and in lieu of flowers, recognition and contributions may be given to Emmanuel Church, Volunteers of America or the American Red Cross.

The family wishes to thank & express appreciation for the loving care for Bev during her time in the Courtyard at Rockwood Retirement Community, South Hill.