Mrs. Evelyn Ross Rabb of Kingston Residence in Hickory NC, formerly of Nebo, passed from this life on the 23rd of March, 2015 hand in hand with her Lord. A native of Greenwood, SC, she had lived in McDowell County most of her life.

The first of eight children, Evelyn was born on May 20, 1926 to the late Elmer and Ruby Ross. Upon graduation from Marion High School in 1944, Evelyn and her first husband, the late William (Bill) Bowen Rabb, Sr. moved to Atlanta, Georgia where their daughter Veronica (Vonnie) Louise Rabb Hensley was born. The young couple returned to Pleasant Gardens in 1947 and remodeled a nineteenth-century farmhouse, naming it “The Mile-Away Farm.” They were members of the Pleasant Gardens Grange, the Pleasant Gardens School PTA and the Marion Lake Club. Evelyn was active in the Home Demonstration Club and was noted for her accomplishments as a cook, gardener, seamstress and interior decorator. She took part in a program developed by former NC governor Jim Hunt to develop leadership skills for women.

The First United Methodist Church in Marion was like a second home to Evelyn. She was baptized at FUMC. To enhance her church work, she attended continuing education classes at Pfeiffer College. Her many roles in the church included service as president of the United Methodist Women’s ministry, youth counselor, Sunday School teacher, communion steward, membership on the Columbarium Committee and Vision and Long-range Planning Committees. She sang in the church choir for 18 years.

Evelyn’s extensive community involvement impacted young and old alike. Among many accomplishments, she assisted the McDowell High School NJROTC in organizing the inaugural “Little Miss McDowell” pageant and was the Mistress of Ceremonies that year. She sat on the pageant’s board of directors for several years, and her legacy of service to the annual event endures to this day. She was an active member of the Marion and McDowell High School band boosters clubs. In the 1960s she joined the Marion Sweet Adelines as a charter member. Also during that era, she became involved in local politics, working as a precinct clerk in Pleasant Gardens and later in Nebo. She held membership in the Marion Pilot Club for which she was in charge of publicity. A longtime member of the McDowell Hospital Auxiliary, she held a position on its board of directors and managed the organization’s publicity. She supported Hospice of McDowell County through fundraising events and outreach. She chaired the McDowell County Public Library board from 1998-2000. She and her family were avid supporters of MACA for many years.

Later in life, Evelyn joined the McDowell County Senior Center, taking part in the Silver Games as a cheerleader and line dancer. An accomplished dancer, she was a member of the McDowell Ballroom Dance Club. She raised funds for the Maxwell M. Corpening YMCA when the now thriving center was only a dream.

Evelyn joined the McDowell News Advertising Department in 1962. Her career progressed, as she became a feature writer with her own column, “Fashion Tips and Changing Scenes.” As Society Editor, she excelled in writing about the lives and activities of the citizens of McDowell County. She was also a talented photographer and received numerous prizes for her pictures. The North Carolina Extension Homemakers Association, Inc. and the Agricultural Extension Service Home Economics Division recognized Evelyn for outstanding news coverage and public relations work. At the end of her 21-year career with the McDowell News, Evelyn received a commemorative plaque for her years of dedicated and faithful service.

Her many and varied achievements notwithstanding, Evelyn’s life centered on church and family. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and she’ll be greatly missed. Evelyn is survived by one daughter, Veronica Rabb Hensley and her husband Gene of Bethlehem; one son, William (Bill) Rabb Jr. and wife Joyce of Evans, Georgia; five grandchildren, Devin Hensley and wife Kimberly of Gloucester, Virginia; Christopher Hensley of Colfax, California; Lauren Murphree and husband Mark of Toccoa Falls, Georgia; Amanda Schick and husband Gary of Martinez, Georgia; Molly Knowles and husband Chris of New Bern; and seven great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her beloved sister-in-law Margaret Ross of Marion, brother Leonard Ross of Roanoke, Virginia, brother Jack Ross and wife Ruth of Marion, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, preceding Evelyn in death were brothers Eddie, Don, Dean and Eston, and sister Millie Hollenbach.

SHE WAS A BEAUTIFUL AND TALENTED SOUTHERN LADY. SHE SHALL BE MISSED BY MANY.

Memorial services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Marion on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Receiving of friends will be at 1:00 pm and the service will follow at 2:00 pm



REFERENCE: WESTMORELAND OBIT