Eva Joyce Essom

Eva Joyce Chrisman "Chris" Essom, 88, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024 at Chatham Ridge Assisted Living in Chapel Hill, NC. Where she had resided the past 8 years. Chris was born in September 8, 1935 to Lena and Ellis Chrisman. She was the youngest sibling of three daughters. Her mother passed away when she was four years old. Her Aunt Mable Rawlings and Uncle Stanley Rawlings welcomed her into their home where she was raised with her cousin Dick Rawlings who was like a brother to her.
Chris grew up in Ellisburg, NY and attended Sandy Creek High School. She graduated high school in 1952. She got her Nursing degree at Crouse Irving School of Nursing in Syracuse, NY and graduated in 1955. She worked at the hospital in the Emergency Room where she met Dr. David Essom. They married August 19, 1956. He preceded Chris in death on August 31, 2017. They moved to Providence, RI where Kathryn Anne was born. They then moved to Omaha, NE where Dr. Carol Ruth and John Douglas were born. They settled in Cortland, NY where Kimberly Jane and Roberta Jean were born. They raised their family in Manlius, NY and later moved to Williamsburg, VA; La Grange, GA; and finally, Cary, NC.
Chris stayed at home to raise the children except for one year when her husband did a second residency in Psychiatry. For that one year, she worked in the hospital.
She volunteered as a Girl Scot Leader and was active in the Women's Auxiliary in Cortland, NY. She also ran a half marathon and did many Folks Marches with the YMCA. Chris loved spending time with family and friends, spending time at the beach, and enjoyed her special Mazda Miata.
Surviving are her children, Kathy Kokini (Dr. Klod), Dr. Carol Essom, John Essom, Kimberly Haelen, Berta Parrott (Greg); and grandchildren, Christina Kokini Padron (Martin), Marissa Kokini Nakayama (Dr. John), Dr. Alex Kokini (Lexi), Bob Sherrier, ESQ, Dr. Matt Sherrier (Bailey), Karen Sherrier, Dr. Dave Sherrier (Sally), Tony Haelen, Izzie Haelen, Thomas Parrott, Jackson Parrott, Sarah Parrott, Maggie Parrott. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Adriana and Dominic Padron; Cal, Tyler and Daniel Nakayama; Camilla Kokini, Lorelei, Georgia, Millie Mae and Rosalie Sherrier, Harrison Sherrier; and also, many special cousins, nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, September 14th at the Ellisburg, NY cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to the Alzheimer's Association (donate at https://www.alz.org/); or donate to a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank the staff at Chatham Ridge Assisted Living for their love and care over the last 8 years.
The family is being assisted by Clements Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. in Durham. Online condolences may be sent to www.clementsfuneralservice.com.