Mary Evelyn Sorrells Fouts

Waynesville-Mary Evelyn Sorrells Fouts, 87, went to her eternal home on December 12, 2018. It is likely that she rode there in the comfort of a celestial Buick, piano hymns playing on the stereo, a cooler of homemade blackberry jelly in the trunk.

She was born on September 23, 1931, the firstborn daughter of the late Rev. William Sorrells and Emma Birchfield Sorrells. She spent her formative years between Haywood and Macon counties as her father pastored various churches in the area. In Iotla, she met her dapper future husband, Remon Tanner Fouts, and they were married on June 18, 1950. They had two children together, Dr. Avery Fouts of Spartanburg, SC, and Patti Fouts Rutledge (David) of Asheville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Remon; her brothers, Thomas Sorrells and Rev. Wayne Sorrells; brother-in-law, Pete Dellinger; and her great-granddaughter, Julia Israel.

In addition to her children, she is survived by her brothers, Dr. Paul Sorrells (June) and Chester Sorrells (Catherine); sisters, Nancy Gardner (Jim), Lois Dellinger, and Joyce Gardner (Jerry); and grandchildren, Jared Rutledge, Ben Rutledge, and Jessica Brock (Josh).

She was a dedicated caretaker and homemaker who, from a young age, could be relied on to help provide for her younger siblings. In adulthood, she looked after and babysat children while raising her own. After her children left for college, she worked at Young’s Shoes and John Graham in Waynesville as a sales associate and bookkeeper. She was a doting grandmother to her three grandchildren, her sternest discipline a finger wag and a “Lookie here, Buster!”

She was an accomplished organist and pianist who served at Grandview Baptist Church in Waynesville and in the last years of her life at Emma Baptist Church in Asheville. She taught piano lessons, often for free, to those willing to learn. She also instructed children and adults alike in Sunday School and Bible studies. One of her fondest memories was taking a mission trip to Venezuela. At the time of her death, she was teaching the book of Job on Wednesday evenings at Emma. In later years, Mrs. Evelyn was seldom seen without a copy of the Encouraging Word devotional, freely given to all she met. Her deep and unwavering Christian faith inspired us all.

She was compassionate, generous, and saw the best in people. We’ll miss the times she got tickled and couldn’t stop laughing. We’ll miss her fried chicken. We’ll miss watching game shows or Andy Griffith with her. We’ll miss her mixed-up Appalachian metaphors. We’ll miss her always standing up for us, always believing in us, always wanting us to succeed. Land’s sakes alive, she was a good ‘un.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday, December 16, in the chapel of Garrett Funerals and Cremations with the Reverend Dr. Paul Sorrells and the Reverend Tommy Fouts officiating. Burial will follow at Garrett-Hillcrest Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30 – 2:15 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made in Evelyn’s name to Love A Child, PO Box 60063, Fort Myers, Florida 33906-6063 or at loveachild.com.