Evelyn E. Ward

Evelyn E. Crumbley Ward left this Earth to dance with the angels on February 16, 2022. A blessing to all who knew her, Evelyn was born on December 28, 1929 in Holly Pond, Alabama. She moved to Akron, Ohio when she was a junior in high school. After high school, Evelyn graduated from Samford College in Birmingham and moved to the French Quarter for 10 years. During the years following, Evelyn married and gave birth to her greatest joy, Jeffrey. During her lifetime, Evelyn helped people. While in Akron, she was the Chief Admissions Officer at Akron City Hospital for 10 years. She served as Executive Director of the International Institute of Akron for 10 years before she returned to her beloved Alabama roots in 1977. Evelyn passed a real estate test and became part of the ‘over 1 million club’ in sales for RE/MAX in the Gulf Shores area for the next 10 years. She found her calling in the position she would hold until retirement in her decade as Executive Director at Ecumenical Ministries. She started new programs like Project Share, Christmas Sharing, Make a Memory, and was instrumental in seeing Emmy’s Thrift Shop begin its successful business. Evelyn loved all things bright and colorful. She claimed Fairhope as her own and adored her sweet city. She never met a dog- or a jazz ensemble-or a folk singer she didn’t like. She enthusiastically cheered on Alabama football (Roll Tide). Her positive energy was a gift to all who knew her, and her light lives on. “It’s been a good life. I’ve done good things, and started things that are all ongoing. I could probably have done more, or been a better person, but it is what it is. Appreciate it and move on. If I’ve helped someone along the way, that’s a plus.” Evelyn Ward, 2021. Evelyn is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Nadine Manset) in Hawaii. She was a cherished aunt of Brad, Suzanne, Todd, Mitch, Matt, Amy, Tim, Deborah, Louis, Scott, Melissa, Randy, William and Barbara Ann. Special longtime friend of Lei Tu, Mary Suckow, Pastor Shirley Geer, and devoted cousin Naomi Betterton, as well as a delightful collection of friends she met along the way. Services will be held on Monday, February 21, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at Unity on the Eastern Shore. Zoom link available for the service via church. Cremation has taken place. Donations encouraged to The Haven Pet Shelter in Fairhope, Unity on the Eastern Shore or EMI. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO RD. FAIRHOPE AL. 36532 (251) 990-7775