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Mary Evelyn Divers crossed over into the fullness of God’s presence on Saturday, August 27, at the Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community in Raleigh, NC. Born September 27, 1930, at the foot of Mt. Mitchell in Burnsville, NC, Mary Evelyn was the fourth of five siblings. The first in her family to leave her hometown to attend college, she received her college education at Mars Hill and Meredith College, both in North Carolina. She returned to Burnsville where she taught school before pursuing a Master’s degree in Religious Education at the Carver School of Social Work in Louisville, Kentucky. Mary Evelyn then served as the Director of Children’s Education at the First Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, and it was during this time that she met John, whom she married in 1959.

They served in various churches in Virginia until 1965, when they were appointed as missionaries to Argentina by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention -- a life well-suited to Mary Evelyn’s spirit of adventure and service. Two of her children, Jeffrey and Ellen were born before they moved to Argentina, where, at the age of 42, Mary Evelyn gave birth to her youngest, Betsy. A loving mother, she fostered kindness and the love of God, people, music, and education.

Mary Evelyn was active in church where she played the piano (and the pump organ!), sang, and taught. She instructed seminary students in discipleship and children’s education, and was involved in various women’s missionary ministries. She also served the Argentine Mission in many capacities. At times, Mary Evelyn was the official hostess who welcomed and guided new missionary families upon their arrival in Argentina. But she was always an unofficial hostess who entertained and harbored those who were passing through. She could put a chicken casserole in the oven or throw together a peach cobbler at a moment's notice!

After 26 years in Argentina, Mary Evelyn and John retired to Roanoke, VA, where Mary Evelyn embarked on a new career as a bilingual customer service representative with First Union Bank. During that time she helped start the Roanoke chapter of Hope Builders, borne of the Christian Women’s Job Corps, an organization that helps women break out of the cycle of poverty through job skills development and relationship building. Upon retirement she enjoyed the company of her two granddaughters, Alyssa and Lexie, who couldn’t wait to see Abuelita and eat her fluffy waffles!

In 2013, she and John made their final move to Raleigh, NC, to be closer to their daughters. Despite health challenges that left her completely dependent on others, she was known for her beautiful spirit, her smile, her wit, and--if you got lucky, a wink from her bright blue eyes. The world is a better, brighter place because of the almost 86 years that she graced it.

Mary Evelyn was preceded in death by her father, Wesley Bingham Hensley; mother, Atlas Banks Hensley; her sister, Maud K. Higgins; three brothers, Walter Hensley, Edgar B. Hensley and Brooks C. Hensley; granddaughter, Alyssa Grace Divers; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Overby and Virginia Ann Silcox. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John D. Divers, her son, Jeffrey A. Divers, daughter-in-law, Laura Lynn Litchfield Divers, and granddaughter Alexa Noelle Divers of Palmyra, VA; daughter and son-in-law, Ellen R. Divers and Greg M. Martin of Raleigh, NC, and daughter and son-in-law, Ann Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Divers and Christian G. Gómez of Durham, NC; two sisters-in-law, Wilhelmina A. Hensley and Joyce R. Hensley of Burnsville, NC; a brother-in-law and wife, Donald and Barbara Divers of Roanoke, VA; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mary Evelyn’s life will be held Saturday, September 10, 2016, at Greystone Baptist Church, 7509 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC 27615. All are invited to share stories and sentiments about Mary Evelyn at 2:00 pm. The memorial service will begin at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Alyssa House, established in memory of Mary Evelyn’s granddaughter to provide affordable housing for the out of town families of children who require long term hospitalization. CHECKS should be filled out to Virginia Organizing with "The Alyssa House" in the memo field and mailed to:

The Alyssa House
P. O. Box 4281
Charlottesville, VA 22905

ONLINE donations can be made at: http://www.virginia-organizing.org
Click Donate! and select "The Alyssa House" under "I want my donation to be designated toward".