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HARRISONBURG - Evelyn Lavinia Vaughan Shrum passed away from this world into God's eternal life on Saturday, June 20, 2009. She will always be remembered for her kindness and support to others.
Evelyn was born on Aug. 31, 1917, to John and Johnsie Vaughan in Lynchburg, Va., who provided her a loving home. She graduated from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg in 1934 and from Harrisonburg State Teacher's College, (now James Madison University) in 1938. She was queen of the May court her senior year. There were only around 100 students in her graduating class. While in college, she met her future husband, Sam, while attending a service at First Presbyterian Church. She later said that "I went to church to meet a man and I did!" After graduating from college, she taught fourth grade in Lynchburg while living with her recently widowed mother.
Evelyn and Sam married on June 14, 1941, at the Rivermont Methodist Church in Lynchburg. The two of them moved to Newport News during World War II while Sam served his country by working at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company as a production engineer. Their son, Edgar, was born in 1943 during their time in Newport News. They returned to Harrisonburg when the war was over and Sam went to work with Nielsen Construction Company. They were surrounded by many family members while living in Harrisonburg and they spent many good times together.
Their daughter, Marilyn, was born in 1951. While living in Harrisonburg, they enjoyed many animals as pets including ducks, parakeets, chickens, rabbits, geese, and dogs. Evelyn worked with Boy and Girl Scout troops, taught Bible and Sunday school and worked with ceramics. The family had a cottage on the Potomac River outside of Fredericksburg, where they enjoyed many weekends picnicking and boating on the river. Evelyn served a two-year term as president of the Lexington Presbytery Women of the Church from 1971-1973, a group of 7500 members. She was a long-time member of the Harrisonburg Women's Club and the First Presbyterian Circle Group. She served as a deacon and elder at First Presbyterian Church. Her husband, Sam, was the President of Nielsen Construction Company for many years, co-founding charter and board member of Sunnyside Retirement Community, and a staunch member of the local Rotary Club for 61 years. Sam said many times that he could not have done his work without the support of his wife.
Evelyn and Sam moved to Sunnyside Retirement Community in 1975 while Sam was president of the Sunnyside Board. She had many friends of all ages throughout her life and her friendships were extremely important to her. She enjoyed hours of laughter, many hands of bridge with her bridge club, and many wonderful times with her friends at Sunnyside. She and Sam enjoyed many family get-togethers at her daughter and son-in-law's country home in Afton.
Evelyn's husband preceded her in death on Nov. 22, 2007. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Harry. She is survived by her son, Dr. Edgar Vaughan Shrum and wife, Carol, of Red Bank, N.J.; her daughter, Dr. Marilyn Shrum Lockhart and husband, Patrick, of Afton, Va.; a grandson, Edgar Vaughan Shrum Jr. and wife, Jessica, of Atlanta, Ga.; a great-granddaughter, Sarah Shrum. Through Edgar's wife, Carol, three grandchildren, Michelle Clearwater, Scott Naef, and Susan Yuce and four great- grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in Meredith Chapel at Sunnyside Retirement Community 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2009. A private burial will be in the Dayton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 17 North Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, to Sunnyside Retirement Community, 600L University Blvd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or to the Sam and Evelyn Shrum Award at James Madison University Foundation, MSC 3604, 220 University Blvd., Suite 3100, Harrisonburg, VA 22807.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kygers.com.
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