Eva Vie V. Eva Viola Whitworth Lutrick

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Eva Lutrick, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.      Eva was born on May 17, 1937 at home, which is now part of the King's Mountain National Park in York County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Alonzo and Maggie Whitworth. Eva lost her mother and baby sister at age 13 In Kings Mountain, NC in a bus - automobile accident. Gazzie Allen became a caregiver and mentor to her. Eva was raised in York County, South Carolina and Cleveland County, North Carolina. She was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.      As a young girl, Eva was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Eva was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Eva was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, "Vi" also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Eva was raised with 6 siblings. She had three older brothers, Paul, Max and FLoyd, one younger brother, Lee and two younger sisters, Julia and Gladys. Eva was constantly involved in activities with her family. Eva and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.      Growing up, Eva was one of those children who didn't need to be in the center of a whirlwind of activity. She was content to entertain herself. Eva was never pushy when it came to games and other activities, but rather, she was able to enjoy the pure fun these could bring. In just about everything she did as a child, Eva was intent on pleasing both the adults and the other children around her. Eva took part in a number of activities as a child. In her spare time she loved to read.      Eva enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Eva was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Eva was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school graduation. She graduated from Number 3 Township High School, Cleveland County, North Carlolina in 1955. Eva enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mrs. Brown.      Most folks would say that Eva was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Eva was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Eva best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Eva kept. Betty Swink, Betty Lou Vess, Hazel Wells, Juanita Dover, Shirley Bradley were her close friends growing up. She also aquired a close group of friends later in life including, Eloise Bingham, Judy Dremann, Pat Collins, Elizabeth Checkal and Joyce Pertiller.      Love can't be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Eva. On August 20, 1961 "Vi" married Donald Glenn Lutrick at Allen Memorial Church of Grover, North Carolina. She was totally committed to Donald and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Eva naturally sensed her spouse's needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. She fully supported him through his career in the police service, which takes a special measure of courage and faith.       Eva was a good mother. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because she trusted emotions, Eva was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Eva was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone's schedule. Eva was blessed with one daughter, Angie. Eva and Don were also blessed with one granddaughter Maggie.      If you gave Eva a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Eva was always on task. Without hesitation, Eva could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. She was employed for 38 years with BellSouth. Her last primary occupation was as a Maintenance Administrator. During that time, Eva excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Eva was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Eva had at true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.      Eva liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Eva's choice of leisure time activities. Her favorite pursuits were consignment shopping, collecting snow babies and snowmen, and reading to her granddaughter. Eva was a master at color coordination in clothing and home furnishings. You could see her in every room you walked into.             Due to her excellent organizational skills, Eva was a welcome addition to the professional and community organizations to which she belonged. Eva could bring established, successful methods to the discussion table, along with a generous helping of common sense. Eva was good at making and keeping schedules and never got bogged down in unnecessary details. Throughout her later years, Eva; was an active member of the Telephone Pioneers and Auxiliary member of The Gideons International.      An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Eva. Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. She was a member of Garr Memorial Church for 47 years where she was a faithful nursery worker.      Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Eva had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that she was the trip planner. She would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included Sunset Beach and travel all over the United States attending Gideon International Conventions.       In retirement, she found new pleasure in her involvement in The Gideons International Auxiliary activities, and family vacations. Even in retirement, Eva continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.      Eva passed away on April 22, 2009 peacefully in her home with her husband and daughter by her side. She fought a brave battle against ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Donald G. Lutrick, daughter, Angela L. Pertiller and her husband Archie Pertiller, Jr., her granddaughter Maggie G. Pertiller of Black Mountain, NC, a sister, Julia Willingham and husband T. Don Willingham of Lancaster, SC, her brothers Floyd Whitworth and wife Juanita, Lee Whitworth and wife Jean, all of Grover, NC, her sister-in-law Hazel Whitworth of Clover, SC and a special "adopted" daughter Lisa Nickerson of Black Mountian, NC. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by two brothers, Paul Whitworth and Max Whitworth and her sister Gladys Whitworth. A visitation will be from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Friday, April 24, 2009 at McEwen Funeral Service Derita Chapel 6300 Mallard Creek Road Charlotte, NC. Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Garr Memorial Church, 7700 Wallace Road, Charlotte, NC. "Vi" was laid to rest in Lewis Memorial Park, Asheville, North Carolina.      It is said that some people can't see the forest for the trees. Eva was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Eva was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Eva Lutrick was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Eva. She will be missed.