MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
When thinking what to say about Evalean, the phrase, "Like a good neighbor..." came to mind, as well as the little jingle that goes with that auto insurance ad.
We were privileged to live across the road from Charles & Evalean Forward for more than five years. We weren't with them every day, but often we'd see Charles as he came across to pick up mail, or Steve out on the four-wheeler. Not long after we moved into the parsonage at Lone Star, they invited us over to a dinner in their shed, and we met some of the neighbors. A little later, they made sure we attended a Woods community get-together at the potato barn, where we sat with them, and met a lot more from the area. We didn't know for a long time, but Charles told us he'd been reading Gary's newspaper articles for many years before he met us.
I visited Evalean a few times before our daughter and granddaughter arrived to live with us, and then after that we walked across the highway a little more often. The Forwards kept a large container of cheese ball snacks in the living room, and they discovered that little curly-haired Lizzy LOVED cheese balls. Usually they'd send us home with a Styrofoam bowl or a bag of treats from their stash.
Evalean loved animals, and people, of every kind. She had a presence and even a voice that reminded me of Gary's Grandma Crossley - so warm and loving and friendly, and totally unpretentious. She did take pride, though, in her hair that never did turn gray, and she never had to color it even into her 90s.
She and I started traveling together to a monthly ladies' aid group that had been meeting probably since before I was born. Usually she would insist that I drive their car, which was a great-running automobile though it has some years on it. One time I took her to see Dr Gill, and when the staff called her "Betty" that was the first time I realized her first name isn't actually Evalean.
We knew that Charles & Evalean loved the Elks Lodge, and that they loved to dance. She told of one time they arrived at a dinner, and she was having to use a walker for something. But when they entered the building, someone alerted the band leader, and they started playing the country song, "Houston". Evalean said she pushed her walker aside and she and Charles danced to the music, to the cheers of everyone. Wish someone had taken a video of that!
We heard the ambulance come one night to their house across the road, and then we visited Evalean in the hospital in Liberal every few days as she dealt with severe back pain. By the time she was discharged, she had made friends with the physical therapist, every nurse and cleaning lady and person who brought her meal trays, and we could tell they were all as fond of her as we were.
My last time with Evalean was over at Satanta, where Anita and I found her at a table in the nursing home. A fun Bingo caller was joking with each person, calling out numbers, and it was clear that all the ladies at Evalean's table were friends of hers. She was on oxygen, had a little trouble hearing, but her mind was clear, and she was all involved in her Bingo games.
She shared a special bond with LaNell, and when LaNell began losing weight, Evalean shared with me how concerned she was about her. We were blessed to be involved with Steve & LaNell's wedding, and Clint and Erin's wedding, and with LaNell's funeral later. We were also so happy to come back this past February and share in Charles & Evalean's 78th wedding anniversary, where they renewed their vows and said they "still do". What a great love story, and we got to meet several family members who are in that same age group. Wow.
I have other stories about Charles, like the amazing garden he grew and how he shared tomatoes and squash and rhubarb and cucumbers..., and the time he helped me break into the back door of the parsonage when I'd gotten myself locked out. "Like a good neighbor..." they were both so kind to us, and always enjoyable to be around.
Evalean talked about how she had longed to have a baby when she and Charles first married. When we were together, she enjoyed sharing stories and pictures of the children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We are sad with each of her many family members, but we're certain she loved you all dearly. And we know that she is in heaven with the One who created her and made her the special person we loved.
AUTHOR’S NOTE — A tribute written by my wife Barbara for the memorial service of Betty Evalean Forward, 9-16-24)
