Evelyn J. (Rodgers) Lawrence

Chincoteague, Va.

 

 

 

 

Evelyn was president of the Class for our 40th reunion.

 

Recently married for the third time, Evelyn has had some tragedies in her life which she says have taught her a lot about inner strength. Her first born son died at age 32 from cancer, and her first two husbands died. There are two other children and two grandchildren plus numerous step-children, grandchildren, and a few step-grandchildren. She was the 12th child in a family of 15, so she knows how important family gatherings are.

 

Evelyn retired at age 60 and wonders when she ever had time to work because she is very active in volunteering, and recently helped her husband add a room to their home. Her current interests include golf, bridge, reading, fishing, genealogy, and church activities. Additional activities include volunteering for Relay for Life Team (cancer research), Library, and Neighborhood Watch. Before retirement, she says she changed careers approximately every seven years including YMCA, dental assistant, Radio Hanover, and case manager for Lutheran Social Service.

 

A “late bloomer”, Evelyn got her associate Degree at HACC in Social Services at age 55. She has traveled in all 50 states as well as Central and South America, England, and the Caribbean. She liked the music of the 50’s, but she appreciates computers and other advances in electronics, and the medical technology of the 2000’s.

 

Her message to her classmates is …

 

 “I would have never believed 50 years ago that there would be all the diverse situations occurring in my life. Overall, I’ve been blessed despite the tragedies, and am enjoying life at Captain’s Cove Golf & Yacht Club near Chincoteague, Va. It is a small community with caring people and fun things to do. With lots of family in Hanover, visits to and from them are frequent. While I live by the ‘Serenity Prayer’, I have learned that it’s not as important what happens to you in life but what you do about it that counts.”