Evie Jean Lazenby

EVIE JEAN was the 5th daughter to be born to Evie and Henry Hassell, on July 17th, 1929, in Neches, Texas. Soon after that, the first boys were born and brought home to a house full of girls. The last 2 girls arrived not long after that, making it a full household of 9 children. The love between their family of 11 was both strong and unbreakable, as was their devotion to Jesus which shone through in their actions everyday of their life.

Evie Jean graduated from High School in Neches and was the class valedictorian, which she was always very proud to remind us of. During her career, she worked as an accountant, a business administrator and finally followed her passion job, an Addiction councillor, in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Evie Jean married Cecil Edwin Perry (deceased) at 19 years old and quickly became a stepmother to his two children, Ellen (3 yrs old) and James (Bubba) (18 months). Not long after they married, they had Cecil Allen who was followed by Doris Jean just a few years later.

Evie Jean remarried John Lazenby (deceased) in 1965 and relocated with her children, to Belleville, Ontario. She again had opportunity to become “mom” to John’s son Chris Lazenby. She truly was an amazing mother to all of us and we adored her. She truly knew how to blend a family with such love and compassion.

Throughout her life, Evie Jean was well known for her sweet and kind nature. She had the keen ability to know just when someone needed comfort and how to provide it for them. She was someone that listened and offered guidance freely. It was a true testament of her love and understanding as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend and so many other titles she owned.

Evie’s heart was always in the kitchen and it was one of her happy places. She expressed her love to all us all through the preparation and serving of meals, pastries and whatever else suited her fancy. She was also an avid reader and could finish a book in a day.

Although Evie’s life began in Texas, she lived in Canada for the past 50 years and resided in Ontario, Alberta, BC and Nova Scotia. She lived coast to coast. Evie Jean always got involved with the community wherever she lived, whether it was a bake sale at the church, volunteering for a charity or making food for the homeless. She also had a passion for gardening and was always surrounded by beautiful flowers. She had a green thumb.

In 1966, Evie Jean became a member of the Eastern Star and stayed active with them in every province that she lived in. She held most all of the officer positions and she loved both the fellowship and the association as a whole. She was an active member of the Daughters of the Nile, along with the Red Hat Ladies, supporting them both over the years and attending many gatherings where she made countless friends and associates.

Above all, Evie Jean loved her family fiercely and she was a very strong presence in their lives. Her grandchildren adored her and she was always their rock. She was close to each of them in her own special way. She was called ‘Grandma” by many others over the years and then in 2005, her first Great Grandson Dylan was born. From then on, she became G.G. (Great Grandma) and she wore that name with much Pride.

Left to mourn Evie Jean are her children Ellen Ingram of Tennessee Colony, Texas, her son Cecil Allen Perry of Stony Plain, Alberta, and her daughter Doris Jean Saxton along with her husband Terry Saxton of Stony Plain. Her Grandchildren Joseph & Daniel (Gayla) Saxton of Alberta, Johathon, Rebecca and Holly Lazenby of Ontario. Her Great Grand Children, Dylan , Marcus, Annabelle, Luca and Amelia of Alberta.

She is survived by sisters: Lurlene Stone, Nell Hamilton, Judy McNeil, Daphne Bennett and her husband Bill, along with many nieces, nephews and friends in both Canada and in Texas. She was predeceased by her Granddaughter Katrina Jean Saxton, her sisters, Dovie and Adalene and both brothers Kiper and Buddy.