Evelyn Harris Savery

Evelyn Harris Savery, age 96, passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2014 in Oak Ridge, TN. She was born December 31, 1917 on a farm in Cullman County, Alabama. Evelyn was a true Rosie the Riveter who operated a crane in the steel mills of Birmingham during World War II. She married Joseph Savery as he was completing his Army service. Using both the GI bill and her various jobs in Tuscaloosa, she helped support her husband as he completed engineering school at the University of Alabama. They relocated to Knoxville as he accepted a job at TVA, and Evelyn became a “stay at home” mother who was active in her church, Northside Christian, her children’s school PTA’s, and served as both a Cub Scout leader and a Girl Scout leader. Later in life, she returned to work at Miller’s Department Store. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Savery; her parents, Tyree & Rose Harris; five brothers, Bill, Cliff, Cleve, Joe and Jack Harris; a sister, Robert Gorham; and an infant grandson, Joseph Todd Savery. Evelyn is survived by her sons Joseph (Jean Ann) Savery of Mountain City, TN, Robert (Pam) Savery of Knoxville, TN; daughter, Amy Savery of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren Jenny Savery of Bristol, TN, Clay (Trish) Savery and Will (Heather) Savery of Mountain City, TN, and Kyle and Ryan Savery of Knoxville, TN; four great-grandchildren, Harlan, Audrey, Emma, and Lily; two sister-in-laws, Grace Teal and Gail Harris, and many nieces and nephews. She leaves a special “son”, James Gose, who was so close to our mom and took her rappelling at age 70. She also leaves the wonderful neighbors of Monterey Road in Knoxville who were family to her for over 50 years including Betty and Joe Campbell and Carol and Murray Carter. The family wants to give a special thank you to the staff of Courtyards Memory Care in Oak Ridge for their wonderful care of our mother. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm Thursday at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel with a funeral service to follow at 7 pm, Rev. Fritz Haverkamp officiating. Friends and family will meet at 2:45 pm Friday at Greenwood Cemetery for a 3 pm graveside service. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Addison’s Journey at http://www.youcaring.com/medical fundraiser/addison-sjourney/192846 (6 year old grandniece in need of kidney and liver transplant), Northside Christian Church, 4008 Tazewell Pike, or the charity of your choice. Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel in charge of arrangements.