Evelyn Dolores Graham

Obituary, Evelyn D. Graham June 30, 1915 ~ April 10, 2007 Evelyn D. Graham passed away on April 10, 2007, in Monmouth, Oregon. She was born in Weed, California to Albert J. and Zelda Adams Collins on June 30, 1915. She lived in California until 1923 when she and her mother moved to Malin, Oregon, in Klamath County. She attended school in Oregon and California graduating from Bend High School in 1934. She was married in 1936 to Ralph B. Thomas in Klamath Falls, returning to Bend with her young daughter in 1939 following Mr. Thomas' death. On May 15, 1943, Evelyn married Ralph G. Graham of Bend. They were married 56 years until Ralph's death in 1999. In 2003 Evelyn moved to Heron Pointe Assisted Living in Monmouth to be closer to her daughters. She joined the First Presbyterian Church in Dallas and enjoyed attending services there until she was no longer physically able. While living in Bend Evelyn belonged to First Presbyterian Church and was an active member. She loved music and singing and sang in the choir of First Presbyterian for over 45 years. She was also active in the women's groups, was an elder, and taught Sunday school. For over 20 consecutive years Evelyn was a charter member of Kenwood PTA and later of Kenwood-Kingston PTA serving in different capacities. In 1984 she helped start the Quilters group in her church, a mission project that is still going strong. Evelyn also helped organize Family Kitchen to help feed Bend's needy families and worked there for many years. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Bircher and husband Cliff, daughter Mary Winter and husband Orie and granddaughter, Emma, all of Independence, a son Paul and wife Rayna of Sherwood, OR, eight grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, daughters Margy and Nancy, and grandson Ted. A memorial service will be held at Heron Pointe Assisted Living Center in Monmouth on April 21, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. and at First Presbyterian Church in Bend this summer. In lieu of flowers, Evelyn requested donations be made to Habitat for Humanity. Arrangements Entrusted to Farnstrom Mortuary, Independence.