Evelyn Faye (Bolton) Cranford died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the age of 89. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Cranford of Bossier City, LA. She loved being around people and made friends easily. She loved good company, laughter and a little coffee with her cream and sugar. She loved working in her garden and always looked her best wherever she went. Shortly after graduating from Kisatchie High School, she married Jim Zimmerman who preceded her in death. Together they had four children, all of whom survive her; Rhonda and husband Michael Mann, Jamey and wife January Zimmerman, John Zimmerman and partner Dustin Pina, and Jolene McCullock. Evelyn has seven grandchildren, Rodney and wife Tacy Zimmerman, Daniel and wife Hannah Zimmerman, Eric and wife Andrea McCulloch, Cody McCulloch, Sara and husband John Boley, Mychaela Mann, Stephany Mann, and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her great-grandson, Noah.
Evelyn was the 6th of 11 children born to Eddie and Reancy Bolton who preceded her in death. At the time of her death, she is survived by three siblings, Howard and wife Linda Bolton of Libuse, LA, Sue Vercher of Alexandria, LA, and Tena and husband Charlie Kern of Bossier City, LA. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her sisters, Helen Dean, Thelma Afeman, Bessie Bolton, Essie Mitchum, Nera White, Myrtie Sharp and Jean Ray.
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Evelyn Faye (Bolton) Cranford died peacefully of natural causes on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at the age of 89. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Cranford of Bossier City, LA. Evelyn was known as Faye or Aunt Faye by relatives.
Shortly after graduating from Kisatchie High School, she married Jim Zimmerman who preceded her in death. Together they had four children, all of whom survive her; Rhonda and husband Michael Mann, Jamey and wife January Zimmerman, John Zimmerman and Jolene McCullock. Evelyn has seven grandchildren, Rodney and wife Tacy Zimmerman, Daniel and wife Hannah Zimmerman, Eric and wife Andrea McCulloch, Cody McCulloch, Sara and husband John Boley, Mychaela Mann, Stephany Mann, and eight great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her great-grandson, Noah.
Evelyn was the 6th of 11 children born to Eddie and Reancy Bolton who preceded her in death. At the time of her death, she is survived by three siblings, Howard and wife Linda Bolton of Libuse, LA, Sue Vercher of Alexandria, LA, and Tena and husband Charlie Kern of Bossier City, LA. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her sisters, Helen Dean, Thelma Afeman, Bessie Bolton, Essie Mitchum, Nera White, Myrtie Sharp and Jean Ray.
Evelyn was a devoted mother. When the family lived in Bethany, OK, where the kids grew up, one of John's teachers acknowledged, "Your mother knows where you kids are at all times." Evelyn always attended "Parents and Teachers Night" at school. She took an interest in talking to each teacher of all four of her children, even after working a full day at her job. When each one began second grade, each of them took piano lessons. She would joke, "I want the kids to know how to play the piano. The only thing I can play is the stereo." She strove to provide them with things and opportunities she didn't have growing up.
Evelyn was a long-time employee of Walmart. In her younger years, she worked at Western Electric, General Electric, and as a hostess at hotels in the Oklahoma City area where she had the opportunity to meet Elvis.
She loved working in the yard, even with her polished, manicured nails and "fixed" hair. She took pride in her roses and manicured lawn. Evelyn always looked her best wherever she went. After moving to Bossier City, her beautician set up a meeting with Jack to meet her at the beauty shop. When he arrived she had just gotten her hair washed. Even in her embarrassment they connected and married within the year.
After Jack's death, she moved to Windermere Assisted Living Home in Alexandria, LA. She enjoyed being around people and made friends easily. Evelyn liked good company, laughter and a little coffee with her cream and sugar. All her meals were prepared and her bed was made every morning by the staff unless she wanted to sleep late. Her laundry was washed and folded for her and she enjoyed social activities with her new friends. Evelyn's last three months were spent in the Woodland's Nursing Home in Leesville, after a fall and fracturing her proximal femur, a bone close to the hip. On the night of July 15, 2021, she rolled over in bed and peacefully took her last breath.
The family would like to thank the staff and nurses of Brookdale Senior Living in Alexandria, LA for their love and care that was given to "Miss Evelyn". Appreciation is also given to the staff and nurses of The Woodlands Nursing Home in Leesville, LA.
Visitation is scheduled for 12:00 pm on Monday, July 19. The funeral will follow at 2:00 pm, conducted by Rev. Steve Oliver under the direction of Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton, LA.
