Evelyn was born on September 4, 1923, in Oklahoma but moved to Los Angeles when she was only four years of age. She was raised in a very close and loving family consisting of her father, Edward Dowler, her mother Ethel and a brother Charles and a sister Dorothy. She out lived three husbands and demonstrated a strength and resilience that many admire.
She was married to Charlton Norton, her high school sweetheart and best friend's brother. During WWII Charlton was shot down and missing in action over the South Pacific for many years while she, with the help of her parents, cared for their daughter, Nina. She later married Leon Pettus, and was happily married until he was killed working as a line-man for Coast Counties, the power company. She was then left with two more daughters to care and provide for. Several years later, James DeMoss came into her life and they were married for 57 years, until last February when he passed away at 93. According to Evelyn's neice, Diane Parker, "When Jim proposed to Aunt Evelyn she told him that she didn't think that he should marry her because she wasn't lucky for men." Obviously he was willing to take the chance and she was, as it turned out, lucky for him. She always showed a lot of wisdom and chose three very good men to be the fathers of her children.
Out of such tragedy, she made a very stable and happy life for Jim and her children.
Evelyn was a child during the Depression, her father lost his business and they at times went without food or other necessities. Because of the difficulties she experienced growing up Evelyn had a very tender and special place in her heart for others less fortunate. Evelyn's default approach to others was always sympathy and understanding. Her generosity and willingness to serve others was always on display. Whenever she could she would try to lighten the load of others.
In this life Evelyn had many rolls: Daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great- great- grandmother. She was very proud of her family and loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen.
Evelyn was also a teacher. And for over 30 years she taught 4th through 6th grades in Watsonville. As a teacher she was strict, but kind. She treated even the most difficult to manage student with dignity.
She was married to Charlton Norton, her high school sweetheart and best friend's brother. During WWII Charlton was shot down and missing in action over the South Pacific for many years while she, with the help of her parents, cared for their daughter, Nina. She later married Leon Pettus, and was happily married until he was killed working as a line-man for Coast Counties, the power company. She was then left with two more daughters to care and provide for. Several years later, James DeMoss came into her life and they were married for 57 years, until last February when he passed away at 93. According to Evelyn's neice, Diane Parker, "When Jim proposed to Aunt Evelyn she told him that she didn't think that he should marry her because she wasn't lucky for men." Obviously he was willing to take the chance and she was, as it turned out, lucky for him. She always showed a lot of wisdom and chose three very good men to be the fathers of her children.
Out of such tragedy, she made a very stable and happy life for Jim and her children.
Evelyn was a child during the Depression, her father lost his business and they at times went without food or other necessities. Because of the difficulties she experienced growing up Evelyn had a very tender and special place in her heart for others less fortunate. Evelyn's default approach to others was always sympathy and understanding. Her generosity and willingness to serve others was always on display. Whenever she could she would try to lighten the load of others.
In this life Evelyn had many rolls: Daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great- great- grandmother. She was very proud of her family and loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen.
Evelyn was also a teacher. And for over 30 years she taught 4th through 6th grades in Watsonville. As a teacher she was strict, but kind. She treated even the most difficult to manage student with dignity.
Evelyn was born on September 4, 1923, in Oklahoma but moved to Los Angeles when she was only four years of age. She was raised in a very close and loving family consisting of her father, Edward Dowler, her mother Ethel and a brother Charles and a sister Dorothy. She out lived three husbands and demonstrated a strength and resilience that many admire.
She was married to Charlton Norton, her high school sweetheart and best friend's brother. During WWII Charlton was shot down and missing in action over the South Pacific for many years while she, with the help of her parents, cared for their daughter, Nina. She later married Leon Pettus, and was happily married until he was killed working as a line-man for Coast Counties, the power company. She was then left with two more daughters to care and provide for. Several years later, James DeMoss came into her life and they were married for 57 years, until last February when he passed away at 93. According to Evelyn's neice, Diane Parker, "When Jim proposed to Aunt Evelyn she told him that she didn't think that he should marry her because she wasn't lucky for men." Obviously he was willing to take the chance and she was, as it turned out, lucky for him. She always showed a lot of wisdom and chose three very good men to be the fathers of her children.
Out of such tragedy, she made a very stable and happy life for Jim and her children.
Evelyn was a child during the Depression, her father lost his business and they at times went without food or other necessities. Because of the difficulties she experienced growing up Evelyn had a very tender and special place in her heart for others less fortunate. Evelyn's default approach to others was always sympathy and understanding. Her generosity and willingness to serve others was always on display. Whenever she could she would try to lighten the load of others.
In this life Evelyn had many rolls: Daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great- great- grandmother. She was very proud of her family and loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen.
Evelyn was also a teacher. And for over 30 years she taught 4th through 6th grades in Watsonville. As a teacher she was strict, but kind. She treated even the most difficult to manage student with dignity.
She was married to Charlton Norton, her high school sweetheart and best friend's brother. During WWII Charlton was shot down and missing in action over the South Pacific for many years while she, with the help of her parents, cared for their daughter, Nina. She later married Leon Pettus, and was happily married until he was killed working as a line-man for Coast Counties, the power company. She was then left with two more daughters to care and provide for. Several years later, James DeMoss came into her life and they were married for 57 years, until last February when he passed away at 93. According to Evelyn's neice, Diane Parker, "When Jim proposed to Aunt Evelyn she told him that she didn't think that he should marry her because she wasn't lucky for men." Obviously he was willing to take the chance and she was, as it turned out, lucky for him. She always showed a lot of wisdom and chose three very good men to be the fathers of her children.
Out of such tragedy, she made a very stable and happy life for Jim and her children.
Evelyn was a child during the Depression, her father lost his business and they at times went without food or other necessities. Because of the difficulties she experienced growing up Evelyn had a very tender and special place in her heart for others less fortunate. Evelyn's default approach to others was always sympathy and understanding. Her generosity and willingness to serve others was always on display. Whenever she could she would try to lighten the load of others.
In this life Evelyn had many rolls: Daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great- great- grandmother. She was very proud of her family and loved to brag about them to anyone who would listen.
Evelyn was also a teacher. And for over 30 years she taught 4th through 6th grades in Watsonville. As a teacher she was strict, but kind. She treated even the most difficult to manage student with dignity.
