Evelyn Rose Rahrar Oakes

September 17, 1924 – March 14, 2029

Evelyn, Rose, Rosie, Evie, Ev, as she was known to the special persons in her life, was the second of four children born to Reverend Harley Jennings Rahrar and Shella Don Abshire Rahrar, September 17, 1924 in Bluffton, Indiana, one of her father’s many pastorates.

She graduated Tech High School where she excelled in Home Economics and Advanced Tailoring.  She briefly attended Olivet Nazarene College and was severely homesick, which made her easily persuaded to come home to marry Donald Edward Oakes, the pianist at Southside Church of the Nazarene, where Reverend Rahrar was pastor.

She was of movie star beauty, of which she in no way was aware, as evidenced by her usual thick black/brown ponytail, which was all the grooming she had time for in her fun-loving youth.  From her generous smile and infectious laugh, one would never know she identified herself as an introvert.  She did, however, share her rich alto singing voice as a soloist, and at times joining her mother and sister for duets and trios in worship of her Lord and Savior, coached and accompanied by her husband.

She was a young wife and mother—a daughter, Sharon Joy and a son Ronald Paige. It was what she wanted most in life, and she comported it wonderfully.   Her home was always decorated stylishly, owing to her good taste and homemaking skills, which included a journey to becoming a very good cook.  Evelyn could upholster furniture, wire a lamp, and build a bench.  So it is no surprise that her gardening and landscaping were impeccable.

When her children were grown, she became a valuable asset to Don’s court reporting business as office manager, an experience that expanded her self confidence and broadened her world of devoted fans.

She was a generous friend, exemplary wife, a self sacrificing mother full or love, and the queen of all grandmothers, giving of herself naturally, compelling her grandchildren and all children she knew to desire to be with her.

During her 90s and especially the last two years of her decline, though she was not herself and did not speak much, medical staff who tended her in and out of hospital and rehab, and then in long term care, to a person, were touched by her sweet spirit, bright eyes, and tender demeanor.  The number of those who will miss her is many.

Evelyn is survived by her sister, Joan Rahrar Wright (Don); daughter, Sharon Oakes Listenberger (Richard); son Ronald P. Oakes (Eleanor Iaria Oakes); seven grandchildren: Mylissa Oakes Yelich, Heather Oakes Buckner, Peter Oakes, Dominic Oakes, Emily Listenberger Lyon, Eric Listenberger, Ethan Listenberger;  and 19 great grandchildren—all loved and adored.

A committal service will be held at Washington Park East Cemetery, onWednesday, March 20th, at Washington Park East Cemetery. Attendees will meet at the cemetery’s parking lot at 2 p.m.