Evelyn Mae (Barber) Brown, 84, of Medina, NY, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Buffalo General Hospital with her loving family at her side.

Born on May 12, 1933 in Lockport, NY, she was the daughter of the late Irving and Gertrude (Duchow) Behm.

Evie graduated from Lockport High School in 1952, on November 29, 1952, she married Roger Lee Barber, and made their home in Medina. She was one of the first employees hired at Fisher-Price and also helped run the 112 acre family farm. Roger passed in 1967 and she continued to raise her eight children as a single mother. On January 3, 1981, she married the late Kenneth L. Brown. In the 1970’s, Evie helped form the former “Parents without Partner’s” Chapter in Medina. Where she was named “International Single Parent of the Year” in 1972, Evelyn and her children were flown to Ontario, Canada for the P.W.P. Convention to receive the award. Evie was supportive of her children’s activities, including, Assistant Den Mother, 4-H, and FFA, where she held the Degree of “Honorary Chapter Farmer”. She was a long time member of the Knowlesville United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday school and helped out in church activities. She also was a member of the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans. Evie enjoyed traveling, rolling skating, dancing, county music and working in her flower garden.

Evie is survived by her children, Paul (Meredith) Barber of Tennessee; Jim (Kathryn) Barber of Albion; Claudia Leonard of Medina; Sam (Diana) Barber of Medina; Clifford (Shelley) Barber of Medina: Betty (Mike) Hammond of Wyoming, NY; Nancy (Dan) Dresser Sr. of Medina: Carol (Jeff) Boreali of Grand Island, NY;  six step-children, Cathy (Roger) Seefeldt of Medina; Ken (Tina) Brown of California; Althea (Robert) Lindemuth of Lockport; Darvin (Joelle) Brown of Lyndonville; Vanessa (Rob) Draper of New Jersey; Jon (Melynda) Brown of Medina;  36 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and many great-great grandchildren; two siblings, Fred Behm of Newfane and Mary Jane (Colin) Hales of FL; two sisters-in-laws, Donna Barber of Hartland; June Quintern of Batavia and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Besides her husbands, she is predeceased by a brother, Ernest Behm, father and mother -in–law, Louie (Cora) Barber; brother-in-law, Robert Barber; son-in-law, Donald Leonard; sister-in-law, Alice Behm and an infant great-grandson. 

Relatives and friends may call on Friday June 23, 2017 from 1 PM-4 PM and 6 PM- 9 Pm at the Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home, 226 Pearl St. Medina, NY 14103. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday 2:00 PM at the Knowlesville United Methodist Church of the Abundant Harvest, 3622 Knowlesville Rd. Knowlesville, NY 14479, with the Pastor, Rev. Marilyn Kasperek officiating and burial will be in the Bates Rd. Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in Evelyn’s name to the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans, 615 West Ave, Medina, NY 14103 or to the Knowlesville United Methodist Church’s Handicap Accessible Ramp Fund.

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