Sara Evelyn Greer, left this earthly life quietly on Friday, May 6, 2016. at her home in Helotes, Texas. She succumbed to lung cancer. Family and friends were surprised at the rapid progression of the disease, but as with most things Evelyn handled her illness with grace. She was always mindful to thank the hospital and clinic staff for their care and often offered a kind observation and a smile. While we friends and family are sad her life is over, we are consoled by the fact she blessed our lives with her presence. Hers was a life well lived!
Evelyn was born 73 years ago in Nashville, Tennessee, to Sarah P. Greer (nee Young) and Willie B. Greer Sr.. After completing her basic education at Carter Lawrence and Cameron High School in Nashville, she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama.
Enjoying a 24 year (1967-1991) military career as nurse in the United States Air Force (USAF). Evelyn retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During her career in the USAF, Evelyn was stationed at: Andrews AFB (Air Force Base),MD; Travis AFB, CA; Clark AFB, Phillippines, Lackland AFB and Randolph AFB, TX; Whiteman AFB, MO; Incirlik AFB, Turkey; Scott AFB, IL; Yokota AFB, Japan and Eglin AFB, FL.
Upon retiring from the USAF, Evelyn return to Nashville and cared for her mother for twelve years, while working as a home health nurse with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During that time she was active in her home church, Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, as an usher and Sunday school teacher.
An avid sports fan (especially of San Antonio's pro basketball teams the Spurs and the Stars) as well as a seeker of physical wellbeing, she worked on keeping fit at the gym with friends, a personal trainer, and lots of laughter. Evelyn loved music and possessed a deep appreciation for a wide variety of genre and styles.
An enthusiastic traveler, Evelyn also enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. Her pound cake was a family treasure and her potato salad was hit among friends. She enjoyed cooking new creations on a regular basis and had an extensive collection of cookbooks. A compassionate active listener with a gentle and kind presence along with a disarming dry wit, she will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her.
Evelyn is survived by: BFF, Lt. Col. Karen Johnson, USAF, Ret., Helotes, TX; sister Ann G. (Henry) Stinson, Nashville, TN; brothers, Lt. Col. Willie (Bobby) Greer Jr., USAF, Ret., Riverside, CA and Barry (Mattie) Greer Sr, Nashville, TN; aunts, Lillian Harding, Nashville, TN., Jeanetta Young, Norene, TN and Helen M. Young, Nashville, TN; uncle, Robert A. Young, Norene, TN and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends..
The funeral was held at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Nashville on May 14, 2016 and she was buried with military honors at Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville. A memorial luncheon celebrating Evelyn's life was held at her former home in Helotes, Texas on May 29, 2016.
Evelyn was born 73 years ago in Nashville, Tennessee, to Sarah P. Greer (nee Young) and Willie B. Greer Sr.. After completing her basic education at Carter Lawrence and Cameron High School in Nashville, she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama.
Enjoying a 24 year (1967-1991) military career as nurse in the United States Air Force (USAF). Evelyn retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During her career in the USAF, Evelyn was stationed at: Andrews AFB (Air Force Base),MD; Travis AFB, CA; Clark AFB, Phillippines, Lackland AFB and Randolph AFB, TX; Whiteman AFB, MO; Incirlik AFB, Turkey; Scott AFB, IL; Yokota AFB, Japan and Eglin AFB, FL.
Upon retiring from the USAF, Evelyn return to Nashville and cared for her mother for twelve years, while working as a home health nurse with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During that time she was active in her home church, Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, as an usher and Sunday school teacher.
An avid sports fan (especially of San Antonio's pro basketball teams the Spurs and the Stars) as well as a seeker of physical wellbeing, she worked on keeping fit at the gym with friends, a personal trainer, and lots of laughter. Evelyn loved music and possessed a deep appreciation for a wide variety of genre and styles.
An enthusiastic traveler, Evelyn also enjoyed gatherings with family and friends. Her pound cake was a family treasure and her potato salad was hit among friends. She enjoyed cooking new creations on a regular basis and had an extensive collection of cookbooks. A compassionate active listener with a gentle and kind presence along with a disarming dry wit, she will be sorely missed by those who knew and loved her.
Evelyn is survived by: BFF, Lt. Col. Karen Johnson, USAF, Ret., Helotes, TX; sister Ann G. (Henry) Stinson, Nashville, TN; brothers, Lt. Col. Willie (Bobby) Greer Jr., USAF, Ret., Riverside, CA and Barry (Mattie) Greer Sr, Nashville, TN; aunts, Lillian Harding, Nashville, TN., Jeanetta Young, Norene, TN and Helen M. Young, Nashville, TN; uncle, Robert A. Young, Norene, TN and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends..
The funeral was held at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Nashville on May 14, 2016 and she was buried with military honors at Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville. A memorial luncheon celebrating Evelyn's life was held at her former home in Helotes, Texas on May 29, 2016.
Three years ago today your life left the physical life. However, you are still alive in my thoughts and heart. Thank you, Evelyn, for continuing to abide with me. You are the gift that keeps on giving and I am eternally grateful for you.
Evelyn touched all who met her. Her birthday is a day to celebrate how glad we are she was born and spent time with us. Evelyn was loved & loving. She is indeed missed.
Hard to believe it has been a year already. Remembering Evelyn and sending you love and hugs Karen! xoxo
Evelyn, I have known you as a sister, i have known you has a friend, but what made you special is that you were always a good family friend !you have always been a person who will listen and not condemn.
Someone that you can depend on to give a lending ear.
There’s a gift called friendship, friendship is what we shared.
Friendship is happiness it gives that person a speical lift, and I also realilzed that friendship is God’s most precious gift !
Someone that you can depend on to give a lending ear.
There’s a gift called friendship, friendship is what we shared.
Friendship is happiness it gives that person a speical lift, and I also realilzed that friendship is God’s most precious gift !
Dear Karen,
I was saddened to learn of your dear friend Evelyn's passing. My thoughts are with you at this sad time of loss and wish you much strength in the days ahead.
May the loving embrace of your friends and family give you strength as you walk the path of mourning and may your warm memories bring you a measure of comfort.
With deepest sympathy,
Ann
I was saddened to learn of your dear friend Evelyn's passing. My thoughts are with you at this sad time of loss and wish you much strength in the days ahead.
May the loving embrace of your friends and family give you strength as you walk the path of mourning and may your warm memories bring you a measure of comfort.
With deepest sympathy,
Ann
Dear Karen,
We were so sorry to hear of evelyn's death and send you our love and prayers.
Barbara & Cathy
We were so sorry to hear of evelyn's death and send you our love and prayers.
Barbara & Cathy
To the Family and Evelyn's Friends,
Don and myself, are deeply saddened by the news of Evelyn's passing. You have our sincerest heartfelt sympathies.
Don and myself, are deeply saddened by the news of Evelyn's passing. You have our sincerest heartfelt sympathies.
Hi Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. Evelyn was a peaceful and gentle woman. She certainly lived a generous and giving life.
She was fortunate to have your love and companionship on this, life's most challenging journey.
In Evelyn's memory I have donated to a young woman's education. I found Lilian on the Kiva.org website. She is 20 and studying to become a nurse at the university in Paraguay.
She was fortunate to have your love and companionship on this, life's most challenging journey.
In Evelyn's memory I have donated to a young woman's education. I found Lilian on the Kiva.org website. She is 20 and studying to become a nurse at the university in Paraguay.
Dearest Karen, my heart goes out to you and all of Evelyn's loved ones in this time of grief and loss. Evelyn was one of the kindest people I have ever known, and her gentle spirit will be missed by everyone who had the good fortune to spend time with her. I loved looking at the pictures on this site, and especially love the one with the dolphins. Rest in peace Evelyn.
To the Family and Friends of Evelyn,
Please except my deepest condolences. Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Evelyn, I wanted to share some peaceful thoughts that helped me when I lost my mom to the enemy, death. I've found comfort in knowing that "there is going to be a resurrection" (Acts 24:15) I hope that you'll find comfort in knowing that you can see your loved one again during a time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
Please except my deepest condolences. Although I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Evelyn, I wanted to share some peaceful thoughts that helped me when I lost my mom to the enemy, death. I've found comfort in knowing that "there is going to be a resurrection" (Acts 24:15) I hope that you'll find comfort in knowing that you can see your loved one again during a time when "death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
Evelyn was one of my childhood friends. we grew up in South Nashville. Her sister, Ann, is my best friend! My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire Greer and Young family and especially to Karen. Evelyn was one of a kind, a rare jewel. Her caring spirit will live on in others she touched. Let her memories become your treasure and may God continue to sustain each of you as only HE can do.
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Three years ago today your life left the physical life. However, you are still alive in my thoughts and heart. Thank you, Evelyn, for continuing to abide with me. You are the gift that keeps on giving and I am eternally grateful for you.
Gallery
Ann and Evelyn about 1945
Greer siblings - Wayne, Evelyn, Ann and Buddy
!
Evelyn with brothers and sister and their families - 2011
Edith, Linda and Evelyn - 2014
Tuskegee Graduate
1984 with the Johnson's in Connecticut
Celebrating with family and friends - March, 2016
Storms and Evelyn
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