Rock Hill, SC- Evelyn Louise Harper passed away, at age 89, on November 30, 2024 at home with her loving children by her side. Born on September 20, 1935 to the late Glennis Ralph Brink and Blanche Marie Waid in Prattsburgh, NY.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Harper; son, Ronald Parker (Judy); daughter, Elaine Spangler (Jeff); twelve siblings; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She is survived by sons, Dennis Parker of TX, Jeffrey Parker of OH, Edmond White (Darlene) of PA, David Smith of Rock Hill; stepson Enoch Simpkins-Harper WV; daughters, Kathleen Mooney (Martin) of GA, Ann Mathis (Vernon) of GA, Donna Stevenson (Virgil) of Catawba, Debra Reese (TBone Horan) of Rock Hill, Lisa Smith of Catawba; fifteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; and twelve great-great-grandchildren.
Evelyn grew up near Rock Creek Ohio where she met and married her first husband with whom she had seven children. Over the next few years she traveled around Ohio, near the great lakes, having four more children before relocating to Wayne County West Virginia in 1974. There she married her late husband Charles Harper and gained a stepson. In 1988 she came to York County to visit her daughter, son-in-law, their two sons and newborn daughter. She loved the area, and warm weather so much that she, her husband, Charles, and her two youngest children decided to relocate here.
Evelyn became a homemaker at the young age of sixteen. After her eleven children were grown, she continued sewing but also began filling her “empty nest” with things like singing in the York County Choral Society, as well as her beloved church choir at Neely’s Creek ARP. She also enjoyed volunteering, with her late husband, as a lifetime DAV auxiliary member (Disabled American Veterans), first in Huntington WV and continuing here at the Rock Hill location where she received several awards for countless volunteer hours.
Evelyn always had a full “sewing basket” making gifts for her children, grandchildren and many, many others. Some of her beautiful creations have traveled across the globe from her time working at Appalachian Craftsman in the 1970s. She made hundreds of toys, Christmas stockings and ornaments as well as creating dozens of original patterns.
In 1994 a long-time dream came true when Evelyn opened a small business, Penney Pageantry, which she later renamed “Sew Creative” where she did alterations and made clothing, toys, crafts, wedding and pageant dresses, jackets, and so much more. She was best known for her lovely “Angel Eyes” dolls, also her original design.
Her amazing talents extended to food. She loved to whip up a ham or turkey feast including piles of “friendship cakes”, pumpkin pies, and Jello fruit salad for the holidays. Evelyn loved her family!
Condolences can be made at greenefuneralhome.net.