Carolyn E. C. Eavey

WAYNESBORO

Carolyn Eldridge Cole Eavey, of 205 N. Bath Avenue, Waynesboro, died Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at Augusta Medical Center of repiratory failure.

She was born in Staunton, the only daughter of William Eldridge and Viola Kingsbury Cole.

A lifelong resident of Waynesboro, she received her education at Waynesboro High School and was a 1956 graduate of Fairfax Hall Junior College.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her half-brother, John Fishburne VanLear Jr.; sister-in-law, Elizabeth "Betty" VanLear of Cocoa, Florida; and step-mother, Della Dean Cole of Waynesboro.

Survivors include her husband, H. Wesley Eavey of Waynesboro; a beloved daughter, Cynthia Carolyn "Cindi" Scott and her husband, H. Joe, of Scottsville; son, Jeffrey C. Bleam and his wife, Jeanine, of Boulder Creek, California; son, David C. Bleam of Orangevaile, California; and a number of nieces and a nephew of Cocoa, Florida. Also, her mother-in-law, Mary C. Eavey; step-son, Kevin; sisters-in-law, Judy Roberts, Lucy Riley of Waynesboro; and brother-in-law, Wayne Eavey, of Staunton.

She became a familiar voice of the radio airwaves in the late 50's and 60's at Radio Station WAYB where she held positions in sales, accounting, copywriting, continuity management, and commercial announcing. She was a part-time employee of Dr. Thomas L. Gorsuch during his early years of practice in Waynesboro, and for 20 years, until her death, was the bookkeeper for Eavey Construction Co., of Fishersville.

She was a breeder, owner, and handler of Chow Chows and showed her dogs in seven states for 30 years. She held offices in several regional and national breed clubs, and was President, Vice-President, Show Chairman, and Board member of the Shenandoah Valley Kennel Club in Harrisonburg, and was recently awarded Life Membership For Exemplary Service.

Her lifelong love of animals was shared with a love of gardening and nature. She was President, VicePresident, Treasurer, Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker Chairman, and Arbor Day Chairman since 2000 of the Wenonah Garden Club, a Life Member of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, and was a member of the former Waynesboro Council of Garden Clubs and the Waynesboro Beautification Commission. She was Founder and Chairman of Waynesboro Downtown Flag Committee from its beginning from 1988 until 2005. She was Queen Mother of the Mad Anthony Hatter Chapter of the Red Hat Society in Waynesboro.

At her request, her organs were donated in order to help others to live. The body was cremated, and no memorial service is planned.

Her final request was that family and friends "plant a tree instead of me to help our environment."

McDow Funeral Home is handling arrangements.