Evelyn Straughan Garris

Evelyn Straughan Garris, 93, died at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC on March 29, 2018 following a period of declining health.  Born at home in the Oakwood neighborhood in Raleigh, NC, Evelyn was the only daughter of the late J. Bruce Straughn, a Raleigh barber, and Emma S. Straughn.  In addition to her parents, Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, Cameron M. Garris, and her three brothers, Bennett A. Straughn, J. Fleming Straughan Sr., and R. Clifton “Cliff” Straughan. Evelyn graduated from Hugh Morson High School in Raleigh and Meredith College where she earned her B.A. in Religion.  Following college graduation, Evelyn was employed as Director of Religious Education at Temple Baptist Church in Wilmington, NC, and later at First Baptist Church of Dunn, NC, where she also served as a deacon and director of children’s choirs.  It was in Dunn that Evelyn met Cameron M. Garris of Watha, NC, and the two were married at Hayes Barton Baptist Church in Raleigh.  Soon thereafter, the couple relocated to Whiteville, NC where their two sons were born. After her children were enrolled in public school in Smithfield, NC, Evelyn returned to school herself to obtain certification as a public-school teacher and employment as a teacher of physically and emotionally disabled students and students with learning disabilities at Four Oaks School in Four Oaks, NC.  Following her retirement, she continued to substitute teach in Johnston County schools and tutor students privately for several years. Evelyn had a great love for classical and sacred choral music.  She was often found directing and singing in church and community choirs.  Some of her fondest memories included a summer spent at choir camp at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, singing with Smithfield’s Bicentennial Chorus accompanied by the NC Symphony, and attending Friends of the College concerts at NC State University.  She instilled this love for music in her sons which has now been passed down to her grandchildren. Always on the go, even well into her eighties, Evelyn enjoyed serving as a hospital volunteer, antiquing, traveling and lunching with close church friends, and attending Baptist retreats at Fort Caswell, Asheboro, and Ridgecrest.  More recently, Evelyn was a resident of assisted living facilities in Smithfield, NC, and a dementia care facility in Clayton, NC. Evelyn is survived by her sons, Dr. Gregory W. Garris and wife, Kelley, of Smithfield, NC, and Dr. Jeffrey B. Garris and wife Vanessa of Asheville, NC; grandchildren, Evan W. Garris and Madison S. Garris of Raleigh, NC; Cameron K. Garris of Greensboro, NC; Emma Kate Garris and Cameron T. Garris of Asheville, NC; and a niece and two nephews. A private graveside service is planned for family members.  A memorial service for family and friends of the family will be held at 6:30 P.M. on April 4, 2018 at First Baptist Church, 202 S. Fourth Street, Smithfield, NC, with visitation to follow in the church fellowship hall.  In lieu of flowers and food, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice.