Evelyn K. Stevens

Evelyn Knott Stevens, 78, of Garner witnessed her faith and her gentle spirit until her passing on Monday morning at Raleigh Duke Hospital. "Miss Evelyn”, as she was known by thousands of youngsters in Garner, was the children’s librarian at the Garner library for years and previously was a kindergarten teacher and editor of The Garner News. She often dressed in costume for the reading of stories at the library or for trips to area schools. She read the story of "Little Red Riding Hood," "Peter Rabbit" and countless other children stories to scores of children. Reared in the Bethlehem Baptist community near Knightdale, Stevens made Garner her home for all of her adult life. She was the recipient of the 1995 James R. Stevens Service to Garner Award for her untiring efforts to make the community a better place to live. She was active at the Garner United Methodist Church, where she taught the Nannie Bryan Sunday School class. Her cooking was renown throughout the community. James R. Stevens, her husband, predeceased her in 2005. The Service to Garner Award was named in his honor. They had four children, all who survive her: Jimmy Stevens and wife, Carlene, Tim Stevens and wife, Donna, Vicki Stevens Walton, and Bob Stevens and wife, Mary. All reside in Garner. She has seven grandchildren; Susanna Stevens of Durham, Jacob Stevens and wife, Allison of Clayton, Elizabeth Stevens of Garner, Carla Norris and husband, Brandon of Garner, Jud Walton and wife, Carrie of Raleigh, Lee Walton of Garner, and Alex Stevens of Garner. Her great-grandchildren are Wade Stevens of Clayton and Tyler Norris of Garner. Her two sisters survive her, Elaine Hopkins and husband, R.B. of Knightdale and Bette Weathers of Wendell. The three sisters were the daughters of the late Robert Lee Knott and wife, Eva Harrison Knott of Knightdale. Donations may be given to the Garner United Methodist Church’s tape ministry or its Men’s Bible Class scholarship fund. The family would like to thank the third floor nurses and staff at Raleigh Duke Hospital and Dr. Paul Schricker, all of whom ministered to her as they cared for her. Visitation is Tuesday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner. Services are Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. at Garner United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Montlawn Memorial Park, Raleigh. Condolences to bryan-leefuneralhome.com