May 23, 1919 - Nov. 19, 2008

Evalina M. Bowers, 89, of Lebanon died Wednesday at her home to be welcomed by her Lord in heaven.

Evalina was born in Fisher Camp, located in Marcola, the daughter of Clarence Alfred and Viola May (Orr) Briggs. Her teen years were spent living in Springfield, with her aunt Jewel and grandmother Ida Marie (Wright) Orr.

She married Walter H. Bowers in Vancouver, Wash., on July 1, 1939. The couple moved from the Eugene area to Lacomb in the early 1940s, where they resided until moving to Lebanon in 1957, where they remained until his death. Evalina was able to remain in her home with her daughter Sandra and family, until going home to her husband Walter, who preceded her in death in 2002.

She enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends, often taking her grandchildren so they could spend extra time without the parents. Many winter months found Evalina and her husband traveling to Bullhead City and Yuma, Ariz., often with relatives and friends.

Evalina was naturally talented in many crafts, crocheting and knitting very well. She blessed each of her daughters and granddaughters with a unique crocheted table cloth during her lifetime, a talent learned from her grandmother, who had worked as a ladies seamstress. Each grandchild received a knitted or crocheted blanket and newborn gift, each an original design. One of her greatest joys was spending time teaching her granddaughters the fun and enjoyment in many of those crafts.

Evalina had attended the Lacomb and Lebanon baptist churches for many years. She was an active participant in the church choir, participating in women's choral groups and holiday cantatas.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter, in 2002; infant daughter Jewel E. Bowers; brothers Charles Alexander Briggs and Clair Irwin; and sisters Juanita Clarice Briggs and Davine Day.

She is survived by two daughters, Sandra Kay Massey of Lebanon and Donna Lee Jackson of Columbus, Ohio; brother Curtis Irwin of Portland; sisters Ida Jane Stevens of Springfield and Lee May Quevedo of Arizona; aunt Jewel Howell, who turned 100 on Nov. 14, of Junction City; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren.

A private family gathering will be held. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice, sent in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355.