Mrs. Evelyn L Lineberger Miller

Sarah Evelyn Lineberger Miller died on July 11, 2017 at the Huntersville Oaks Nursing home in Huntersville N.C. She was born on May 1, 1919 and lived her entire life of 98 years and 72 days in Charlotte, N.C. Her parents, Jonas Frank Lineberger and Effie Pursley Lineberger, moved to Charlotte in 1918 from Clover, S.C. She was faithful to her family, church, and community and acquired a large and diverse group of friends over her lifetime. She lived life to the fullest, ready to go anywhere anytime and always full of enthusiasm, humor, and caring. She adhered to the Golden Rule as demonstrated by her commitment in supporting her family, church, and friends.

Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband Pat (James Patrick, January 18, 1998), her brother J.F. (Jonas Frank Lineberger, Jr., November 9, 1970), and an infant daughter (June 13, 1943). She is survived by two her sisters, Henrietta Grass (husband, Floyd Grass, deceased), JoAnn Hartsell (husband, Edd Hartsell, deceased). She is also survived by her three sons and their families: Jim (James Patrick, Jr.) and sons Patrick Miller, and Christopher Miller (wife Shelley): Bob (Robert Wayne, wife Linda) and daughters Sara Miller, Karen Sanford (husband, John) and their children Lauren and Matthew, and Katherine Lowman (husband, Jason); and Bill (William Frank, wife Penny) and daughters Tesa Miller and Amber Miller. She is also survived by five nephews: Link Grass, Tim Grass, Jeff Lineberger, Greg Lineberger, and Edd Hartsell, Jr. and three nieces: Cathy Jo Long, Sandy McNabb, and Terri McSwain.

Pat and Evelyn were married on June 30, 1939 and enjoyed 58 years of marriage and family. Their first home was across the street from Thomasboro Presbyterian Church, where the Linebergers and Millers were lifetime active members. She participated in the choir, was a Lifetime Member of the Women of the Church, and was active in the children’s nursery. She participated in the annual Handel’s Messiah Christmas music performances and in the first Crop Walk for the Hungry held in Charlotte.

Among her fondest Thomasboro memories was meeting Billy Graham who was selling Fuller Brushes door-to-door in the summer of 1936. Years later, she was involved with Church’s preparation for the 1958 Billy Graham Crusade at the Charlotte Coliseum where she also was a choir member. She met Leighton Ford, Graham’s brother-in-law, when he visited the church as part of the post-crusade follow-up. Evelyn was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star and an active supporter of Pat’s lifelong involvement with the Joppa Masonic Lodge, and they both worked to support the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Evelyn was known for her love of the outdoors and sports. She was captain of her Paw Creek High School Basketball team where she graduated in 1937. She followed basketball her entire life including watching the 1957 UNC Tar heels win the NCAA and 30 years later being an avid fan of the first Charlotte Hornets NBA team along with the Davidson Wildcats. The bowling trophies that decorate her den represent events she won individually and as a team with Pat. She also enjoyed following the Atlanta Braves baseball and finding time to discuss the team with her friends. Her love of the outdoors and sports inspired her children and grandchildren to also be active participants in sports and the outdoors.

Evelyn loved her extended family in Clover, frequently visiting her aunts, uncles and numerous cousins over her lifetime, and especially the Pursley and Davis Family Reunions. She rarely went anywhere where there wasn't at least one person she knew. She loved tending to her flowers and house plants and being outside working in her garden, where her homegrown beans and tomatoes took center stage to one of her home cooked meals.

She always loved the summer family beach trips to Wendy Hill, Cherry Grove and other Grand Strand beaches where she enjoyed the sand, surf, fishing, biking, and swimming with her children and grandchildren. In her later years, she participated in the Senior Aquatics program at Marion Diehl recreation center where she famously entertained her friends by diving headfirst off the diving board on her 88th birthday. She often would leave the Diehl Center to visit friends at MerryWood Senior Living as well as other centers for the elderly. She enjoyed those caring visits with friends and church members who appreciated her companionship and good spirits.

Evelyn was mostly a homemaker and mother to three sons and devoted to her work in the church and volunteer service in the community. After her sons left home, she worked at CB Drug in Harrisburg and for several years worked with the student cafeteria at the Lakewood Elementary School where she made new friends with teachers and staff.

Upon retirement, she and Pat traveled the country, including Hawaii, and the Caribbean. They frequently joined the Church fellowship group travels to Montreat and other stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After Pat’s death, she continued to see her family flourish and maintain an active lifestyle especially with the Church and local community. She moved from her home of 55 years on Freedom Drive to Crape Myrtle Lane at Oakdale Place in 2010. She made new friends at the nearby Pleasant Grove Methodist Church program for active senior citizens. After a fall in November 2016 and declining health she moved to The Laurels at Highland Creek and more recently to Huntersville Oaks where she passed away. The family is grateful for the loving care provided by the staffs at Huntersville Oaks and The Laurels at Highland Creek.

The family will receive visitors at 10 am Thursday July 20, 2017 at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, 6701 Pleasant Grove Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216, followed by a memorial service to celebrate her life at 11 am. There will be a graveside service immediately following at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208.

The Reverend Bob Breed of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church and Dr. Jeffrey Pinkston of Steele Creek Presbyterian will conduct the service. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, 6701 Pleasant Grove Rd, Charlotte, NC 28216. Arrangements are in the care of Forest Lawn West Funeral Service and Cemetery. Please share condolences online at www.forestlawnwest.com