Evelyn Louise (Peyton) Burns

Evelyn Louise Burns, daughter of Harry Eugene Peyton and Virginia Brown Peyton, was born on July 9, 1939 in Wilmington, Ohio. Evelyn graduated from Wilmington High School and had briefly attended Wilmington College. She married William Ellsworth Burns in Altus, Oklahoma, September 11, 1963. They settled in Wilmington and three children were born to this union.

Evelyn accepted Christ at an early age and was an active member of Bible Missionary Baptist Church (originally Second Baptist Church). She enjoyed teaching and had taught Sunday school for several years, served in the church kitchen, helped with communion with the other deacon's wives, and in any way the church needed her.

Evelyn loved to write. She participated in poetry clubs at Wilmington College and in this area. She especially enjoyed writing for events at the Church, including the Church anniversary and Pastor's appreciation. She kept the Church history and prepared a summary each year for the anniversary, highlighting the activities of the Church for that year. Riding the bios each month to honor a different senior church member was one of the last activities she participated in at the Church.

Evelyn worked for a short period as a secretary for Nike Air Force Base, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Clinton County Children's Services, and Second Baptist Church. But her favorite job was as a homemaker and being grandma "Gam" to her granddaughter and an auntie to all of her nieces and nephews. Aunt Evelyn or "Aunt Emmy", as she was affectionately called, was frequently there to teach you how to bake cookies, play tea party, or be chauffeur to the younger ones, and lend an ear or give advice to the older ones. She never shorted anyone on love. And that love extended beyond "blood" family. Many friends and neighbors considered her her "Aunt Emmy" too.

After a long battle with Alzheimer's, Evelyn passed away peacefully at home April 18, 2024. Though it took away her memory, the illness did not take away her spirit. She may not have recognized a face or remembered a name, but she was always ready to have a lively conversation with anybody she encountered.

With determination, she fought hard until the end and now her fight is done. Her loved ones can take comfort in knowing that her suffering is over and can rejoice in knowing that life and death is in the hands of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and she is at peace with him.

In addition to her parents, Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, William Ellsworth Burns; an infant son, Darren Michael Burns; brothers, Howard Peyton, Donald Peyton, and Richard Leroy Peyton; and her sister, Vivian Green.

Gone, but not forgotten; she leaves to cherish her memory, daughters, Deborah Burns and Julie Burns, both of Wilmington; granddaughter, Jaebreon Burns of Cincinnati; brother-in-law Darrell "Chuck" Hancock Burns; brother in love and spirit, Dennis Morton; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2024 at Bible Missionary Baptist Church, 243 Grant St., Wilmington. Interment will follow in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Pastor Kurtis L. Summerville will officiate. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024 at Brown Funeral Home, 237 W. Main St., Wilmington. To leave an on-line condolence, please visit www.arehart-brown.com or visit our Facebook page, Brown Funeral Home.

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