Evelyn Claiborne

Evelyn Claiborne

April 30, 1926 – July 31, 2023

Evelyn Claiborne, daughter of Arden Wade and Elzira Wade, was born in Holcut MS.   She was married to Jack Claiborne, currently residing in Humboldt TN.  She was previously married to Wayne Wentz and Thomas Haughney, who both preceded her in death.  She is also preceded in death by her siblings, Bingham Wade, Bill Wade, Martha Strickland, and Bettye Walker.

Evelyn has two children, Selena (Rick) Watkins of Lufkin TX and Tom (Brenda) Haughney of St Simons Island GA. She also leaves behind her loved grandchildren, Wendy Bazemore, Wade Watkins, Justin Haughney, and Brett Haughney, six great grandchildren from her family, and several nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by two stepchildren Eddie (Patsy) Little and Arahwana (Glendale) Brasfield and their children Mitzi Reed of Dyersburg TN, Keri Crowell of Parsons TN, Kristi McCord of Huron TN, five great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren from Jack’s family.

Evelyn had a long career as an astute businesswoman, managing credit unions for Grace Chemical, Firestone Tire, and Shelby County Government, retiring in 1985.  She was very proud of graduating from the University of Georgia school of business for credit union management. 

She was a long standing and faithful member of Macon Road Church of Christ in Memphis TN and Germantown Church of Christ in Germantown TN, before she married Jack at Faith Chapel in Memphis on August 1, 1987, and moved to his home in Dyersburg TN.  She belonged to The Community Church in Dyersburg TN.  She steadfastly attended Sunday School and church services every week in spite of any challenges that would have prevented anyone else from being present regularly. 

She was a world traveler, joined by her dear friend, Martha Ray.  They traveled for 16 years together before Martha’s passing.  She and Jack also traveled across the United States and Canada many times, plus three trips to France for Normandy D-Day reunions.

She loved God, Jesus, her family, and her friends, in that order.  She enjoyed playing Scrabble, reading, volunteering, attending Sunday School, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and was always up for a celebration or party of any kind.  Her loved ones say that she was faith-filled, strong, smart, beautiful, fun, adventurous, loving, glamorous, and kind to everyone she met.  She made friends wherever she was and was able to tell you about who they were, who their kids were, where they all lived, where they went to school, and other details that probably few people took the time to find out.

One of her favorite songs was, “I’ll Fly Away”.  On July 31, 2023, that glad morning came when her life on earth was o’er, and she could fly away to be home on God’s celestial shore. Hallelujah!!!

Visitations will be held in two locations, the first on Thursday, August 3, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Curry Funeral Home, 1984 St. John Avenue, Dyersburg TN 38024.

Visitation and funeral service on Saturday, August 5, 2023, visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. with service following at 2:00 p.m., Fireside Chapel, Memorial Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis TN 38119.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to one of these three charities:

The Mosaic Center, www.mosaiccenter.org, 601 N. First Street, Lufkin TX 75901, Hand in Hand of Glynn, www.handinhandofglynn.org, P.O. Box 2452, Brunswick GA 31521, Hope Works, Inc., www.whyhopeworks.org, P.O. Box 22999, Memphis TN 38122.

Funeral services are under the direction of Curry Funeral Home.  We are privileged and honored to serve the Claiborne family. You may share your condolences and your memories with the family at www.curryfuneral.com.