Florence Evelyn Cantwell, 88 years, 6 months, 9 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on December 15, 2023 at Hopedale Cottage Assisted Living Facility in Ozark, Missouri with her family by her side.
Evelyn was born June 6, 1935 in Ava, MO to Clarence and Doris Evelyn (Spurlock) Singleton.
Evelyn was raised in the Douglas County community with her five siblings. She graduated from Ava High School in 1953. On January 7, 1955, Evelyn and Earnest Coy Cantwell were united in marriage at Ava, MO. They were blessed with two children, Randy and Cindy.
Evelyn worked at Citizens Bank of Ava for about 25 years. She also served for several years as Douglas County Public Administrator. She loved her jobs and loved taking care of her clients. She always went above and beyond to serve them. She and Earnest also owned and operated the Sears Store on the square in Ava. They worked alongside with their daughter, Cindy in the business. They enjoyed working in that endeavor in the community.
Evelyn was an active member of the First Southern Baptist Church for many years up until her health prevented her from attending. In the church, she and Earnest led the youth department for numerous years, leading Bible studies and entertaining the kids with parties, float trips, hayrides and etc. In addition, she thoroughly enjoyed singing in the choir. She also was at one time an active member of the Ava Lion’s Club.
After Earnest’s death and a few years later, she married Charles Cantwell. They enjoyed their life together until his death in 2011.
Evelyn adored her kids and especially her grand and great grandchildren. She also looked forward to the Singleton gatherings and especially fish fries. She was a joy, and she never met a stranger, …ever. She wanted people to know the Lord and always would invite people to church. She loved living in Ava and supporting the community. Evelyn had a big heart for people.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Earnest in 2002; her husband, Charles; and her grandson, Jeremy Heath.
Evelyn is survived by her children, Randy and Sue Ann Cantwell and Cindy Heath; her grandchildren, Ashley and Joey Rhodes and Jenifer Heath; great grandchildren, Levi, Hunter and Logan Rhodes and Emre Selim; her siblings, Faye Krider, Johnny Singleton, Jo Storey, Karen Heatherly and Dale Singleton; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and numerous friends.
Funeral services for Evelyn will be Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial following in the Thornfield Cemetery, Thornfield, MO. Visitation will be prior to the service Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.
Officiating will be Pastor Rick Spacek. Memorials may be made to Thornfield Cemetery or Gideons.
