Evelyn Stedham Whipple

EVELYN STEDHAM WHIPPLE, 88 LAKELAND - Evelyn Stedham Whipple, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday July 4, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer. She was a devoted Christian, wife, daughter, sister, mother, grand-mother, aunt, and friend to many. All who knew her would attest to her unfaltering faith, warmth, compassion, and wonderful sense of humor. Born September 13, 1923 in Birmingham, AL, to Reverend Marvin Van Buren Stedham and his wife Mettie. She was preceded in death by her husband William Whipple of Lakeland. She is survived by two daughters, Carolyn Simmonds of Kansas City, MO and Pamela Abbott of Lakeland; three grandchildren, John (\\\"Jackson\\\") Simmonds of New York, NY, and Ashley Abbott and Melanie Abbott, both of Lakeland; a brother and sister-in-law, Reverend Ray Stedham and his wife Pat; and two nephews, John Stedham and James Stedham. Having graduated from Tift College (now part of Mercer University, Macon, GA) in 1945, she moved to Atlanta and worked at Grady Memorial Hospital for Emory Medical School. In 1948, she came to Lakeland, where she lived the remainder of her life, other than for a 12-year period when she lived in Sewanee, TN, when her husband served as Vice President of Development for the University of the South. Evelyn was very active in church activities all her life, teaching Sunday School, working in the library, and singing in the choir. While at Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland, she was president of the Women\\\'s Missionary Union. In the community, she was involved in several organizations. In Lakeland, she was a member of the Junior Woman\\\'s Club, Garden Club, and Pionette Business and Professional Women\\\'s Club during her life. While in Sewanee, she was involved in the Woman\\\'s Club, the Hospitality Auxiliary, and the Episcopal Church Women\\\'s Club. Evelyn enjoyed playing piano, traveling, making Belleek porcelain and playing bridge with friends. She was an avid reader, loved crossword puzzles, and was interested in current events. She also liked to cook and entertain. However, her first love was always her family. Evelyn\\\'s passing on our nation\\\'s Independence Day will forever serve as her reminder to us to that we must embrace our own independence. She was a sweet and loving woman whose prayer for everyone was to be self-sufficient and strong, leading happy and fulfilled lives. Memorials may be made to Cooperative Baptist Fellowship online at www.floridacbf.org or by mail to P.O. Box 2556, Lakeland, FL 33806. You may also reach them at 863.682.6802 to learn more. Visitation will be Sunday, July 8 from 5:00-7:00pm in the Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel, 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, FL 33801. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 9 at 10:00 am at Heath Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow immediately at Roselawn Cemetery on Ingraham Avenue. Service: 07/09/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel 328 South Ingraham Avenue, Lakeland, Florida 33801 Heath Funeral Chapel (Tribute Center) Visitation: 07/08/2012 Heath Funeral Chapel (Tribute Center)