Evelyn Mae Hamby Howe was born on October 29, 1934, in Sulphur, OK, to Andrew Ellis Hamby and Ada Lucille Redwine Hamby, and passed away on April 8, 2025, at the age of 90. A devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, Evelyn embodied the essence of compassion, always putting the needs of others before her own. Although she will be deeply missed, we rest assured that she is joined her one true love, Tommy C. Howe Sr., who passed in 2017.
In 1937, Evelyn’s family left Oklahoma and settled in a migrant camp near Bakersfield, California. They moved often, living in hotel rooms and motor courts to areas that included Los Angeles, Van Nuys, Phoenix, Tehachapi, and Fowler before settling in Fresno in 1947. That fall, Evelyn began school at Chester Rowell Elementary. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1952 and attended classes at Fresno Community College. On January 1, 1954, Evelyn and Tom went on their first date. They corresponded while he served in the USMC stationed in Korea and went on their second date upon his return. Evelyn and Tom were married on April 7, 1956, and went on to have three children, Kimberly, Annette, and Tommy.
A Christian woman of deep and abiding faith, Evelyn was a founding member of the College Church of Christ in Fresno where she spent countless hours serving others, her hands always extended in kindness, compassion, and care to everyone she met. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and it was through her devotion to God that she taught us the true meaning of grace, love, and forgiveness.
Evelyn is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Sani and Annette Howe, and son Tommy Howe Jr and wife Karen. Evelyn had two grandchildren, Kacey Howe and husband Matthew, and Justin “Cody” Howe and his wife Cheyenne. Finally, Evelyn leaves five great grandchildren, Tyson, Zayden, Paisley, and Sawyer Howe and Krosby Mike.
A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held at Woodward Park Church of Christ on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., where we will gather to honor her memory and rejoice in His promise of everlasting life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Yosemite Bible Camp at yosemitebiblecamp.com/donate and/or The Mission at give.fresnomission.org.
