Mrs Evelyn M. Chatham

Evelyn was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1922. She received Christ as her personal savior as a teenager. In 1942 she married Ebert Chatham who was at that time a Master Sergeant and was about to head to Europe to serve in WWII.After the war she and Ebert lived and worked in Indianapolis, Indiana where they started a family with the births of both son, Jim and daughter JoEllen. After Ebert went to work as a courier for the Department of Defense they moved to Oakridge, Tenn and there completed their family with the birth of another daughter, Doris Jean. From there "Evie" and family moved to Pittsburgh, Pa and then to Grand Junction, Colorado where they attended the First Baptist Church of Grand Junction, and later Ebert became the lay pastor of Molina Baptist Church in the town of Molina, Colorado. While living in Colorado "Evie" was active with the Church (particularly missions), and became a fastidious home maker and a terrific cook. She also was active in several local bowling leagues and was an instructor at a local bowling establishment. She proudly displays some of her many trophies in her home to this day. In addition to gaining a reputation as a great cook she became an expert at canning fruits and vegetables and preparing wild fish and game that Ebert brought home from his frequent hunting trips; as well as preparing a fresh side of beef or pork now and then that had been donated by some of the parishioners of Molina Baptist Church. While they had many, many friends around the country they had a particular love for the people at that little church on top of the mountain in Molina, Colorado and always considered it their real home. In 1959 the family moved even further west and landed in Canoga Park, California. Both Evie and Ebert became active in the First Baptist Church of Canoga Park. During their stay in Canoga Park Evie worked as Pastors Secretary to Vern Snyder, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Canoga Park, and as secretary for the Conservative Baptist Association Credit Union. Subsequent to that they moved to Yorba Linda, California and then Westminster, Ca where they lived for 30 years. The love of her life, Ebert, went home to Heaven in 1987, but Evie stayed in that house until 2008. She and Ebert were both active members of Bethel Grace Baptist Church during those years and have many dear friends that still attend there. In 2008 Evie moved to Oceanside, Ca to be near her son and wife (Jim and Carol) and lived there until her "homecoming" last Monday. She lived for the times she could share with her children and her smile would light up the room when she was with her grand children and great grand children. In addition to her other avocations she was a true prayer warrior, and while we know that God shows no favorites the subjects of her prayers always felt some extra assurance when they knew she was praying. As her dementia progressed she confided that her greatest fear was "losing her joy" as a christian and we do believe that her greatest fear was never realized. Even as the end drew near I overheard hear tell one of her caregivers....."My Savior is near. I can feel his presence". She is now IN His presence and her joy is complete.

Mrs Evelyn M. Chatham

November 22, 1922 - July 1, 2013