RICHLANDS NC - Evelyn Stephens North, 87, of Richlands died June 25, 2011. She was born Oct. 29, 1923, in Onslow County to the Late Rosa and Robert W. Stevens. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, James Y. North (Jake); her granddaughter, whom she loved very much, Tammy Lynn North; her brothers, Robert Lee, Marvin and Sim; and her sisters, Rosa Mae North, Gladys North and Ruby Ramsey. She is survived by her loving children, son, Jimmy and his wife, Brenda North of Maple Hill and daughter, Frances and her husband, Roger Taylor of Richlands; sisters, Leona and her husband, Durwood North of Richlands and Virginia Steen of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Jamie and her husband, Richard Owens and Jim and his wife, Allison North, all of Richlands; step grandchildren, Gina and her husband, Tim Shepard and Michael and his wife, Susan Padgett, all of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren, Tamara North, Alex Owens and Connor North, all of Richlands; and step great-grandchildren, John and Ashton Shepard and Wes Padgett, all of Jacksonville. A graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Onslow Memorial Park with the Rev. Philip Shepard officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2011, at Johnson Funeral Home in Richlands. She worked as a cook at the Toot and Tell It Drive Inn in Richlands for about 25 years and at Arnold's in Richlands for several years. She loved to sew. She would sit for hours sewing before she lost her eyesight. She also loved gardening, but the love of her life was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also was an avid NASCAR fan of the late Dale Earnhardt. Flowers are welcome or donations may be made to Continuum Hospice and Healthcare. The family would like to thank Continuum Hospice and Healthcare and Premier Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for all the love and care she was given. Arrangements are by Johnson Funeral Home in Richlands.

Published in Jacksonville NC Daily News June 27, 2011.