Evelyn Wainwright Thornton Crowell, 90 of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully with family by her side on April 17, 2021.
Evelyn was born in Nahunta, Georgia, on March 24, 1931. The oldest of 14 children, and the daughter of the late Samuel William Wainwright, and Winnie Walker Wainwright Tapley, affectionately known to the family as Big Daddy and Big Momma.
Evelyn went into the nursing profession and started her career at several local hospitals in the area, all while raising her 6 children. She began working for the Veterans Administration in Jacksonville Florida and this ultimately led her to positions in Pennsylvania and Missouri as Assistant Director of Nursing at their VA Nursing Homes. Her greatest enjoyment in life was spending time with her family while making memories.
She is survived by her children Linda Kay (Richie) Lombardi of Kingsland, Georgia, Elaine T Bailey of Jacksonville, Florida, and Sharon T (Rick) Hestekin of Middleburg, Florida. Grandchildren Matthew (Gary Caudill) Lombardi, Tony (Tammy) Lombardi, Shelby (Roy) Faas, Lucas Hestekin, Shannon (Jesse) Keith, Morgan (Travis) Jacobs, Tristen (Bobby) Haines, Michaela (Ryan) King, Zachary Thornton, Junlina (Sean) Norris, Janita Sampson and Marika Paco. 24 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are: Alvin, Virgil, Carl, Eula, Barney, Earnestine, Faye and Thomas Earl. Along with numerous nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.
Evelyn was proceeded in death in addition to her parents, by her first husband Albert Cortez (Corky) Thornton and her second husband Everett James (Jimmie) Crowell, Children Vicky Ann Padgett, Albert Cortez Thornton Jr and Michael Wayne Thornton, son in-law James S (Jimbo) Bailey, grandchildren Joshua A. Hestekin, Albert Cortez (Corky) III and Michael Wayne Thornton Jr, and Siblings Ernest, Marie, Robert, Carolyn and Bobby.
Joint Visitation for Evelyn and Jim Crowell will be held Friday, April 23, 2021 at Old Plank Road Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida from 11:30am until 1:00pm. Joint funeral services will follow visitation at 1:00pm. Burial will follow immediately after the funeral services at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, Florida. Food and Refreshments will be served at Old Plank Road Baptist Church immediately after interment for friends and family.
Visitation Details Old Plank Road Baptist Church 8964 Old Plank Road Jacksonville, FL 32220
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Friday, April 23, 2021 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Service Details Old Plank Road Baptist Church 8964 Old Plank Road Jacksonville, FL 32220
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Friday, April 23, 2021 1:00 PM
Edward & Janie Brand (Classmate)
October 13, 2022, 10:01 am
We loved Evelyn. She has been a dear sweet classmate to us all these years.We enjoyed her visits to class reunions. May the many good memories you all share help you through the days ahead.