Evelyn married her Bossier High School sweetheart, Howard Friday, on June 3, 1951, and they shared 58 loving years together. They worked side by side growing the family business, Everett’s Bindery, that her parents started in 1944. They raised one daughter, Emily, and were blessed with a son-in-law, Clint Cain, and a granddaughter Amanda, with whom they spent time daily.
Everett’s was behind the family home covering a city block and known to all as “the shop”. Evelyn and Howard passionately operated the book bindery for over 45 years and were known in the community for rebinding library books for Caddo & Bossier Parish schools, refurbishing Bibles, & binding medical journals.
With a strong work ethic and heart for their profession, they often worked long evenings & weekends to complete the job, not even turning away after hour customers. You could be greeted on any day by her 2 cats Friend & Kunta Kitty sleeping in their boxes on the front counter. Evelyn had a deep love for their employees, and quietly provided for those in need.
Passionate about cooking, Evelyn generously served her family daily with delicious homecooked meals, often delivering treats from her kitchen to the shop. Better known to most as Granny, she loved having her granddaughter in the kitchen, sharing her vast cooking experience, and savoring that sweet time together. It was her joy to open her home, especially at holidays, bringing friends and family together around the table. Though feisty at times, her quick-whit, acute knowledge of current events, and keen memory of times past kept the dinner conversation quite lively and memorable.
Living only two streets away, Granny seized every opportunity to take Amanda to and from school, sport practices, and events. Even a car ride was a special time to grow closer. And boy could she be heard cheering Amanda on along the sidelines. Evelyn was Emily’s sidekick on countless college road trips to Jackson, MS and College Station, TX.
Beloved mother and granny, Evelyn treasured her family most of all. She enthusiastically celebrated Amanda’s marriage to David Hagen and delighted in her great grandchildren, Levi, Luke, and a baby girl on the way.
Though enduring immense pain daily, she often greeted you with her sweet smile even on her hardest days.
From our hearts to yours, we are forever grateful to her loving companions Rose Mary, Julie, & Melanie that became part of our family, caring for her with love daily. Evelyn’s family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate staff at Montclair Park Assisted Living. Evelyn loved her dear friend, Dora Wilson, of over 60 years. We are extremely grateful to her supportive Stephen Ministers at FUMC, Eleanor & Beth, and her hospice nurses, Kinsey & Cindy. Our lives have truly been blessed many times over with dear friends, family, and very special people God put in our path. We are grateful for the support, prayers, and encouragement that kept our eyes focused on Christ for this precious, and sometimes difficult journey the last few years.
Evelyn was so thankful for the close family relationship, realizing not everyone surrounding her had someone that called them regularly or visited. It would honor her memory to spend time with a loved one, cherish memories with family, and thank God for his many blessings.
Please join us for Evelyn’s Celebration of Life, 3 PM Sunday, November 8th, at Riverpark Church (the old Hamels).
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