Evelyn S. Gaddis

Rosa Evelyn Sharp Gaddis, of Covington, Louisiana, passed peacefully on December 14, 2025, following a long and gradual journey with dementia. She was 87 years old. Evelyn’s life began as a miracle. During her mother’s pregnancy, doctors advised termination due to a tubal pregnancy. Her family gathered in prayer, and soon after, her mother was informed that the fetus had miraculously moved into the correct position, allowing the pregnancy to continue normally. The child who was not expected to live became a living testimony of faith, resilience, and grace. Evelyn was born the seventh of eight children. She earned her Associate Degree from Lee College in Cleveland, Tennessee, and on August 6, 1960, she married the love of her life, James Archie Gaddis, Jr. Their marriage spanned sixty years, until Archie’s passing in December 2020—a partnership marked by devotion, faith, and shared generosity. The woman who was never supposed to live went on to build a rich and fruitful legacy. Evelyn was the beloved mother of two daughters, Patrice Gaddis McLuhan and Lori Gaddis Johnson, and the proud grandmother of six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and six siblings. She is survived by her daughters, Patrice (Derryck) McLuhan of Canton, Georgia, and Lori (Scott) Johnson of Cartersville, Georgia; grandchildren, Jill (Desmond) Blue, Benjamin (Andrea) Hammond, Josiah Hammond, Grace (Terry) Carringer, Isaac (Mariah) Johnson, Joel Johnson, and Zoe (Aaron) Das; and 8 great-grandchildren. Evelyn was known for her deep faith, her love for Christ, her lavish generosity, and her contagious cheerfulness. Her home—and especially her table—was always open. Hospitality was not simply something she practiced; it was who she was. Cooking, welcoming, and caring for others were among her greatest gifts. Countless friends, family members, neighbors, and strangers passed through the Gaddis home, shared meals, and experienced the steady, unconditional love that Evelyn and Archie so freely extended to everyone they met. Her life was a quiet sermon—one lived with joy, faithfulness, and an unwavering belief that love, when shared, multiplies. A memorial service in honor and celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Mt. Paran North, located at 1700 Allgood Rd. NE - Marietta, GA 30062. The caring staff of Darby Funeral Home is honored to serve the Gaddis family.

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Evelyn S. Gaddis

February 2, 1938 - December 14, 2025