Evans E. Garber

Evans Eve Garber of Greensboro died, at home, surrounded by her loving family, on April 4, 2019. Throughout long and difficult years of declining health, she was heroically cared for by her husband and daughters at home. Evans was born in Atlanta, Georgia on November 1945 to parents, Tommie Perdue Quin and Frederick Eve, III, There she spent her early years as a honors student and merit scholar finalist at the Westminster School, active in academics and sports, and was especially proud of holding the state medal for the butterfly and breast stroke for swimmers 10 and under. She received her BA in1966 from Vanderbilt University where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and excelled academically exploring her abiding love of the study of history. Following graduation, Evans embarked on the first of what would be scores of international adventures, working at an insurance company, assigned to the "pluvious department" writing policies protecting outdoor recreational games from adverse weather. Then off to North Africa with two friends, exploring Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt, with only the clothes on their backs after their luggage was stolen. The family still laughs at her description of her wardrobe, consisting of a cotton A-line dress with a big stripe of wet white paint down the back (acquired when she leaned against a newly painted light post) and her hard-earned green Pappagallo flats,)

Returning to Atlanta, in 1969 she married Ronald Garber, a medical resident at Emory University, and after his service with the U.S. Army was fulfilled, they moved to Greensboro, where he established his medical practice of nephrology, and she combined teaching and rearing their two daughters, Rebecca Brenner Garber and Leslie Quin Garber Whitaker. Evans is survived by her husband, Ron, daughters Brenner and Leslie, son-in- law James Whitaker, and twin grandchildren Chloe and Zachary Whitaker; her sister-in-law Gail Garber Yamner and husband, Morris; and nieces Marion Reese Nelson, Amy Yamner Jenkins, and Lisa Yamner Green. Evans's devotion to her family was complete and full of love. She was generous, kind, and supportive, and deeply committed and endlessly creative in ensuring that Brenner's special needs were met and that she received the attention and education that would ensure a happy life. Evan's support and devotion to Ron, and his challenging professional responsibilities was unwavering, and whenever they could, they enjoyed and celebrated together on trips that took them to every continent. From hiking and bob sledding in the Dolomites, to parasailing in New Zealand, adventure and exploration were always on the calendar Famous for her extensive library, Evans was an avid reader, eager to discuss, and share, the latest novels, mysteries, and works of history. Riffing off the old cliche of how women cope with adversity, Evan's mantra was: When the going gets rough, I don't go shopping, I go to the library. She earned a Masters of Arts in History from UNC-G, and studied in the PhD program at UNC-Chapel Hill in French History and later in British History. She taught European History at Greensboro, and served, as a lecturer in the History Department at UNC-Greensboro from 1983-1999. She was a long-time member of the Great Decisions Study Club, The Tuesday Study Club, and the Friday Afternoon Club, and served on numerous boards supporting the arts and programs at UNCG: Friends of the UNCG Library, Weatherspoon Museum Association, Greensboro Day School, Bel Canto Company, Touring Theater Ensemble, Greensboro Opera Company, and Greenhill Center for North Carolina Arts. Her commitment to community health was underscored by her service as president of the American Lung Association, Piedmont Region where she initiated the establishment of non smoking areas in restaurants and other public places. Her friendships were deep, and she cultivated them with love and care. She was a gracious hostess, providing a warm welcome to the Garber home in Greensboro and to visitors to their vacation homes on the South Carolina coast, and later in Brooksville, Maine. In Maine, she loved sitting on the porch with a good book, hiking, kayaking, and gardening. She loved hosting dinner parties with their many friends and family. One of her favorite indulgences was coffee and conversation over a short stack at IHOP. Evans had an infectious smile that would light up any room. She had an innate, kind and loving nature and went out of her way to lend an empathetic ear to her family and friends. Family always came first to Evans. When her youngest daughter Leslie went on bedrest 3 months before the birth of her twins, she immediately rushed home from vacation in Florida to come home and help care for her for the next several months without a second thought. She was overjoyed when her twin grandchildren were born, Chloe Quin and Zachary Lewis Whitaker. She adored them and was immensely proud of them. Her love for her children was tremendous and she did everything she could to help, encourage, and be there for them. She was the most wonderful mother, wife, and grandmother anyone could ever ask for and we will miss her every day. The Family wants to thank the most compassionate caregivers which allowed Evans to remain in her own home and continue to go to Maine for several months; Danielle Sitzer, Rachel Pennington, Gail Gray, Kelly Cope, Tamara Jones, Nikita Washington, Brittany Holman, and Ryan Ransom. A memorial service will be held on April 11, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church with Rev. Sarah Carver officiating. Family visitation will be held immediately following the service in the Haywood Duke Room. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Special Olympics North Carolina, 2200 Gateway Centre Blvd. Suite 201 Morrisville, NC 27560 in memory of Evans Eve Garber. Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel is serving the Garber family. Online condolences can be made at haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.