Bennie Evatt
April 3, 1924 — January 2, 2014
Bennie Mayo Evatt, 89, of Kickapoo, passed away at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at her home.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 6, 2014, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria, with the Reverend Dean Grabill officiating. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2014, also at the funeral home. Interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery in Kickapoo.
Bennie was born on April 3, 1924 in Tomlin, AR, a daughter of Perry and Ruby (Hooks) Vaughn. She married Erlie Leonard Evatt on March 29, 1941 in Little Rock, AR. He preceded her in death in 1991 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Miriam and Estelle; three sons, Leonard, Edward and Harry; one grandson, Brett Evatt; and one great grandson, Lehi Snider.
She is survived by her daughters, Ruth (Bill) Mathis of Brimfield and Veronda Wilkinson of Peoria Heights; son, Steven Evatt of Peoria; twelve grandchildren; thirty great grandchildren; and five half brothers and sisters.
Bennie was a cook at South Side Mission, retiring in 1982. She was formerly employed at The Salvation Army, Spanns Grocery and Woolworth’s.
She was a member of the First Pentecostal Church in North Pekin, until 1991. She was formerly a member of College Station Assembly of God Church in College Station, AR.
After her retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at The Salvation Army and Heart of Illinois Harvest.
Bennie enjoyed fishing, quilting, gardening, reading and listening to Gospel music. She collected sewing machines (and had about 100), old cookware, dishes, quilting and gardening books and tools.
She had a strong work ethic and loved family get-togethers, designing and sewing quilts and creating new recipes.
Bennie was a strong, patient and religious woman, with a deep faith, but did have a stubborn streak that could flare up at times. She was inventive and could turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse.
Memorial contributions may be made in Bennie’s memory to South Side Mission, The Salvation Army, Methodist Hospice or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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