Evelyn Windham

WILSON - Evelyn "Ebbie" Hackney Woodard Windham of Raleigh, formerly of Wilson, died Saturday, July 18, 2009. She was born on September 18, 1921, in Wilson to Thomas Jennings and Evelyn Gray Jones Hackney. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter Farmer Woodard and infant daughter, Evelyn; her second husband, John Thomas Windham; sister, Helen Hodges Parker and husband, Derward; step-sons, John and Philip Windham; brothers-in-law, Bill Baskervill and Doug Williams; sister-in law, Patricia Hackney. After being widowed at the age of 29, Ebbie raised her three girls alone, but not without the love and encouragement of her dear family and friends. She took over the responsibility of managing the farms left her by her husband, Walter, and developed a keen business mind while always maintaining her warmth and compassion for everyone she knew. She was devoted to the First United Methodist Church, the American Red Cross and Barton College - all in Wilson. Funeral, Saturday, July 25, 11 AM, First United Methodist Church, 100 Green St NW, followed by a time of visiting and sharing. Surviving are daughters, Elizabeth Anderson and Gray McKay of Raleigh, Mary Finley and husband, Bob, of Garland, TX; step-son, Steve Windham and wife, Cheryl, of Wilmington; Philip's widow, Karen Windham, of Wilmington; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; sisters, Lib Williams of Tarboro and Sally Lindley and husband, Gene, of Houston, TX; brothers, Tom Hackney and wife, Janet, of Wilson and Bobby Hackney of Wilson. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894 or to the Alzheimer's Assn, 400 Oberlin Rd, Ste 220, Raleigh, NC 27605. Ebbie's children would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Falls River Court and Hospice of Wake County for the wonderful and loving care of their mother.