Obituary

Evelyn Dyson
January 22, 1930 - April 08, 2017


Evelyn Harris Dyson passed away on April 8, 2017 at the age of 87 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Evelyn, or “Freck” as she was affectionately known, was the daughter of John and Laura Harris of Bogalusa, LA. and was number 6 of 7 siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Melodysse F. Dyson and four siblings. Beloved to all, she was a longtime resident of New Orleans, LA. In 2005, after hurricane Katrina ravished her historic Ponchatrain Park neighborhood, she relocated to Garland, TX and finally settled into her own home in Baton Rouge LA.
Born and raised in Bogalusa, LA. Evelyn, along with two other siblings, converted to Catholicism at a young age and was baptized in Annunciation Catholic Church in Bogalusa, LA. She attended high School at Central Memorial in Bogalusa where she played basketball and earned the nickname “rooster” due to her fiery red hair. Her basketball skills earned her a scholarship to Grambling State University where she played basketball and was a majorette in the historic Tiger Marching Band. She was also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
Evelyn retired from 30 years of dedicated service as a school teacher with the New Orleans Parish School System, and she was also an entrepreneur. She sold her handmade decorative ceramics, encyclopedias, reading programs, and her famed lemon extract cakes baked from a recipe shared by her beloved sister-in-law, Myrtle Dyson. She was a member of the American Business Women Association and was honored in the 70’s with the Woman of the Year award.
Evelyn loved crafts and sewing. A style fashionista, she often altered her store-bought clothing to reflect her keen sense of style. At Christmas she gifted her family with pillows reflecting the Nativity Story. This past Christmas she made pillows with family’s football affiliations of LSU, OU, SU and (of course) the New Orleans Saints.
Evelyn’s true love was cooking and what brought her the most joy was cooking for her family and friends. She was an accomplished cook and will always be remembered by her delectable and elaborate holiday meals which always included her fabulous Gumbo.
Blessed with a sweet spirit, kindness to all was Evelyn’s claim. She was soft spoken but not to be mistaken for shy. She had a quick wit and a sly sense of humor that you might miss if you weren’t paying attention. She loved serving her family and others. Cherishing these memories and many more are her devoted daughters, Melodye D. Baham (Baton Rouge, LA) and Evelyn “Kellye” Dyson Lee (Garland, TX), sons-in-law, Theodore Wayne Baham and Don L. Lee, beloved grandsons, Corey W. Baham (Stillwater, OK) and Theodore Brent Baham (Baton Rouge, LA); daughter- in- law, Jamie Baham; great-grandsons, Maxwell E. Baham and Mason A. Baham; siblings, Ursuline H. Smith (Houston, TX) and Benny G. Harris (New Orleans, LA); sister in law, Gwen Harris; and a host of relatives and friends. A special recognition goes to Lynn T. Richardson (Niece) and Sharlette “Nunu” Blanchard (neighbor) her faithful companions and friends who allowed her to live independently in her home until she departed for her final resting place.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church, 4700 Pineda St. at 10:00 a.m. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. Interment will be held in Franklinton, Louisiana at Sweet Home Church cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Melodysse F. Dyson. Family and friends are invited to attend the services. Arrangements handled by Crain and Son’s Funeral home, Franklinton, LA.