Our Church’s Faithful & Devoted Inaree Evans Has Passed Away June 4, 2012

Our faithful and devoted church member Carrie Inaree Evans, also affectionately known as “Blondie”, 85, passed away Monday, June 4, 2012 around 1 PM at Shands at UF in Gainesville from complications of injuries received in an automobile accident on May 27th.  Inaree has been a member of the San Mateo Presbyterian Church since she was a young child, and had taken care of the flowers for the church for well over 50 years.  We will all miss her cheerful ways, all her dedication to the church, and the church will certainly feel empty without her sitting in that front pew of the section that her and her loving husband Hank would be at every Sunday morning.  She is in God’s hands now and is without pain from her injuries suffered in the auto accident over Memorial Day Weekend.  We will miss you Mrs. Inaree.

She was born in Yelvington and lived there and at her beach house at Crescent Beach her entire life.  Inaree was a graduate of Hastings High School and years ago worked as a beautician.  She had also worked with the family business, Evans Fernery.

Inaree was the longest standing member of the San Mateo Presbyterian Chuch.  Over the years, she had served as an Elder, past president of the Women of the Church, Sunday School teacher, church historian, and was in charge of the floral decorations.

Inaree also served as secretary for the San Mateo Christian Union, aka, San Mateo Cemetery and was a former member of the San Mateo Woman’s Club.  Inaree enjoyed fishing and gardening, especially growing her beautiful azaleas.

Inaree and Hank made sure that there were flowers in the church and for the functions held at The Potter’s House, usually fresh flowers cut from their own gardens.   They would come every Saturday to decorate the Sanctuary to be sure that all was in order for Sunday service.  When the monthly fellowship luncheons after Communion Sunday were held, again, Inaree and Hank came out on Saturday to decorate all the tables and serving tables with flower centerpieces, and again, mostly cut from their own personal gardens.  They would also decorate the tables for the chicken and fish dinners, and any other special event that was being held in The Potter’s House.

Inaree and Hank’s family had a fernery years ago, and they had over 400 azalea shrub bushes and countless camellias that were taller than their home, as well as a large assortment of greenery and florals.  Inaree was so creative in her designs of floral arrangements and centerpieces, each one more beautiful than the last.  The variety of flowers and greenery was amazing.  And Hank was always by her side assisting her.

Inaree brought me several photos of her magnificent yard full of azaleas so that they could be scanned and put on this website so that their beauty could be enjoyed by all.  You can see the photos of her beautiful gardens on another page on this website.

Inaree was also very active and devoted to the Presbyterian Women’s Group, helping with the yard sales and any other fundraiser event or charitable cause that the group undertook.  The Women’s Group made a lot of donations and contributions to our Church as well as other charities and missions around the world, and Inaree was always there to help accomplish their goals.  The Presbyterian Women’s Group also puts together the monthly fellowship luncheons after Communion, and Inaree was an active participant in organizing, decorating, and just getting things done.

She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Belford F. “Hank” Evans, a son, Belford F. Evans Jr. and wife Robin of Yelvington; two brothers, Thomas Cain of Palatka and Russell Cane and wife Terri of Crescent Beach; a brother-in-law, John Norris of Branchville, SC; two grandchildren, Christopher Evans and Dorothy Inaree Jensen and husband Joshua; five great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Isaiah, Isabella, Weston and Paisley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

We will have more information about her life posted here soon, as well as information about services honoring Mrs. Inaree.  If you have any remembrances and memories about Inaree, we would be glad to share them with the congregation.  You can leave your comments on this post.

UPDATE INFORMATION ON THE FUNERAL SERVICES FOR INAREE:

Visitation for Carrie Inaree Evans will be held for family and friends on Thursday, June 7, from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home located at 307 South Palm Avenue in Palatka, FL (386) 325-4521.  Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.johnsonoverturffunerals.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 8, 2012 at the Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home at 10 AM with the Reverend Chuck DeVane officiating.  Burial will follow at the San Mateo Cemetery located on San Mateo Cemetery Road just off of SR 100.  A luncheon will be served immediately after the graveside services, approximately 11:30 AM, at the San Mateo Presbyterian Church fellowship hall The Potter’s House located at 201 Currie Road and SR 100 in San Mateo.  Flowers are gratefully accepted or you can make a memorial donation to the San Mateo Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 57, San Mateo, FL  32187 in Inaree’s memory.