On Jan. 5, 2015, God called one of His precious angels home. Evelyn Lenora Tomlin was born Feb. 25, 1933, and passed peacefully into her eternal home, surrounded by her loving family.

How difficult it is to condense the extraordinary life and accomplishments of such a well-loved wife, mother, teacher and friend. After marrying at an early age and dropping out of school, Evelyn raised four children and then, determined to finish her education, she attended night classes at John Tyler High School. After receiving her high school diploma at age 30, she attended Tyler Junior College and then earned a B.A. degree at Stephen F. Austin State University, followed by a Master of Education degree in 1970. From her first class of first-graders in September 1966 until her last in 1989, Evelyn influenced the lives of hundreds of children in Whitehouse ISD with her love and devotion. Over those 23 years, Evelyn saved some of each student's work and a tape recording of their first efforts at reading aloud. Those priceless treasures were presented to each student along with a personal handwritten letter upon their graduation from high school. Evelyn attended every graduation program until all of her previous students had graduated. It was a sad day for Evelyn when she had to retire but she had deep satisfaction in knowing she had made a difference in so many young lives.

Her love of education, especially reading, was not Evelyn's only passion. She truly fulfilled the wish expressed by Erma Bombeck, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'" Evelyn's many talents included pencil and oil painting, writing poetry (some of which was published) and ceramics (which won many awards and ribbons at the East Texas State Fair). Her cooking skills were impressive, and she also won State Fair ribbons for canning vegetables and making jelly. Her mouth-watering homemade pecan pies, biscuits and cornbread dressing were favorites of her family and church meals. Results of Evelyn's green thumb can be seen all over East Texas. If you commented on any plant or flower while visiting, you left with a cutting to plant in your own yard. Not the least of her talents was crocheting. How many miles of yarn did she fashion into exquisite baby blankets and afghans for baby showers, wedding showers, graduation gifts or just because she loved you? She also made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren. The entire Whitehouse community benefited from Evelyn's photography hobby. She was on hand at every public event and most weddings, graduations and birthday parties to create a record of faces and smiles. She and Gene were very involved in the Whitehouse community and were honored as Mr. and Mrs. Yesteryear 1996. During the summers and after her retirement, Evelyn and Gene enjoyed traveling together through almost all of the 50 states in their RV to see God's beautiful creations. Another trip they made each summer was a camping trip to Galveston State Park, where grandkids were known to tag along and spend days at the beach.

The story of Evelyn Tomlin's life must include her most fervent love - her God and her church and church family. After receiving Christ as her Savior at age 15, Evelyn served him faithfully for the rest of her days. She and her husband, Gene, are charter members of Whitehouse First Assembly of God where Evelyn played the piano and sang with a ladies' trio for many years. She served as Sunday school secretary, taught Sunday school classes and later started the official church nursery where she loved babies and toddlers for many years, some of which are serving and worshipping at the church as adults. In 2009, Evelyn and Gene were honored for 60 years of Faithful Service to Whitehouse First Assembly.

Left to cherish her memory and carry on the legacy she left behind is her beloved husband of 67 years, Gene Tomin; two sons, David Tomlin (Kate), of Marysville, Washington, and Bennie Tomlin, of Whitehouse; two daughters, Beverly Kennedy (Scott) and Trudy Adams (Bruce), all of Whitehouse; five grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; one sister, Marie Moore, of Mabank; and many special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; two brothers; and one great-granddaughter, Meagan Kennedy.

Read in the Old Testament the 31st chapter of Proverbs, verses 10 through 31, and you will find a perfect description of the life of Evelyn Tomlin. Finally, if you knew Evelyn, these simple lines say it all.

A celebration of Evelyn Tomlin's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan., 9, 2015, at First Assembly of God Church in Whitehouse with the Rev. Michael Fleming officiating under direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest in Whitehouse Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Pallbearers will be Jason Kennedy, Shawn Garrison, Austin Kennedy, Chad Tomlin, Reid Tomlin and Marshall Belles.

Special thanks to The Hospice of East Texas for their love and care during her last days, not only to Evelyn but to her family as they cared for her daily. A special thank you to Joyce Story and Debora Gipson.

Any donations in Evelyn's name may be made to The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701.

"You have brightened many homes with the work of your hands.

You have brightened many lives with the touch of your heart."

Published in Tyler Morning Telegraph on Jan. 8, 2015