Evelyn Varnum Wright, age 90, went to be with the Lord on March 16, 2008. She was born in Bay Harbor Florida on December 29, 1917, to Hezzie and Percy Mercer. Evelyn was preceded in death by two husbands, Moses Leonard Varnum, Sr and Vernon Wright, and a daughter, Melanie Varnum. She is survived by two sons, Moses L Varnum, Jr. and Al Varnum (June); six daughters, Patricia Varnum, Annie Faye Shiflet, Martha Shay (George), Freida Varnum (Nancy), Pamela Meeks (Randy) and Jean Hancock (Terry); three sisters, Doris McIntyre, Gwen Sanders, and Delores Cribbs; and one brother, Tommy Mercer. She was also blessed with sixteen grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. Evelyn eloped with Leonard in September prior to graduating high school in December, 1935, and after raising her family, she returned to night school and earned her high school diploma in 1972 at the age of 55, and won a scholarship to HCC, which she declined in order to be a stay at home wife. She was in food service at Brooker Elementary School for 10 years, and upon retirement, she moved to Lake Kissimmee. Evelyn was an active member of Bell Shoals Baptist Church until her retirement. Services will be held at Bell Shoals Baptist Church in Brandon on Saturday, March 22. The family will receive visitors from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., and a celebration of her life will commence at 1:00 p.m. Internment will follow at Hillsborough Memorial Gardens. Donations may be made in Evelyn's memory to Gulfside Regional Hospice in Pasco County, Florida.

Please do not stand beside my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.