Evelyn Marie Peace Campbell died on the evening of Sunday, December 16 at her home in Stockbridge, GA from complications of a stroke she suffered in November. She passed peacefully in the companionship of her loving family and devoted caregivers. Hers was a life of devotion and caring for her large family and legions of friends. She was the one who always found the good in everyone, and was always encouraging to those with whom she shared her life. She led by example. Evelyn's interests were myriad and she was always a seeker of knowledge, and broadening her appreciation of art and literature, constantly feeding her creative nature. After raising her three daughters she turned her attention to painting and was an accomplished artist. With her daughter, Carolyn Ann, she became a ceramicist, producing outstanding work. She was an early adopter of the computer, which she used to compile and write several genealogies covering ancestors from all sides of her extended family. Knitting was a passion with her, and she volunteered to teach an adult class for beginners. She was a talented pianist and loved playing from the Baptist Hymnal. And she had an affinity for Ray Charles (especially "Georgia On My Mind"), jazz and country music. Throughout her life she was filled with grace, lighting her surroundings with her smile and wonderful laugh. Evelyn was born August 20, 1931 in Greenville, SC to Raleigh Devine and Myrtle Peace. She graduated from Parker High School in 1949 and soon married the love of her life, J. K. (Ken) Campbell. She began a career in banking, interrupted by the birth of their first child, Deborah followed by two more daughters, Carolyn Ann and Lori June. Evelyn brought her young family to Georgia in the 1960s when Ken took a job with the FFA at the Hampton Center. First living in Forest Park, they moved to Morrow, and then to a farm near Hollonville. There Evelyn presided over many extended family gatherings where precious memories were made. Evelyn served as a Director of the Jonesboro Housing Authority for a number of years, working alongside Ken. She brought her organizational skills, tempered with compassion, and her sensibilities, to provide housing for those in need, treating those she served with kindness and dignity. Evelyn was preceded in death by Ken, her husband of 63 years and her beloved daughter, Carolyn Ann, her parents and her brother, Alvin Peace. She is survived by daughter, Deborah Miller and her husband Jim of Aiken SC; daughter Lori McCurdy of Omega, GA; grandsons, Jason Timbert (Kristi), KC Harrington (Kayla); Granddaughters, Jessica Riley (John) of Wyoming NY, and Kristen Rivers (Jeremiah) of Tifton, GA and six great-grandchildren. In addition survivors include in-laws, the Don Batson and Jackie Peace families of Greenville, SC and the Jim Campbell family of Knoxville, TN. The family is grateful for the skillful, faithful and loving care provided to Evelyn by Edris Peterkin, Norma McLauren, Vivian McCarthy, Shorna Dobson, LaVern Manning and Joycelyn Graham. They made it possible for Evelyn to enjoy her independence and a fuller life. The Lord Bryon poem, She Walks in Beauty Like the Night, describes Evelyn and her life, but with an added dose of laughter, mirth and love. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 22, 2018 at the Chapel of Ford-Stewart Funeral Home, Hwy 138, Jonesboro, GA. Entombment will follow at Camp Memorial Park in Fayetteville. The family will receive friends 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. Friday, December 21, 2018 at the funeral home. Flowers will be accepted, or those desiring may make donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607, Attn: Office of Development,
www.shrinershospitalforchildren.org
. Ford-Stewart Funeral Home, Inc., Jonesboro/Stockbridge 770-210-2700.
www.fordstewartfuneralhome.com
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