Evalyn McCandless

Obituary of Evalyn Dart McCandless

Evalyn (Evie) Dart McCandless

 

Resident of Hilton Head Island, SC left this life to be with our Lord on June 24, 2022. Awaiting her in heaven is her beloved husband, David S. McCandless, their daughter, Lynn Ann, and their son, Mark Stuart. Evie is survived by her son, Jeffrey D. McCandless, and daughter-in-law Debbie McCandless. She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Erica Welliver and her husband Aaron Welliver, Jeffrey McCandless Jr. and Cheri Lott and her husband Tyler Lott.

 

Evie was born in Andover, Ohio to Jess Paul Dart and Florence Wright Dart in 1927. She had two brothers, Donald W. Dart (deceased) and Paul D. Dart of Greenville, PA. and one sister, Genevra McGuffie (deceased).

 

Evie graduated from high school in Greenville, PA where she was chosen by her classmates to be Homecoming Queen. She received her B.A. degree from Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA. Here she met and married David; then worked at Gulf Oil Corporation in Pittsburgh while he was a student at University of Pittsburgh Dental School. The last few years of his dental practice, Evie worked as his office manager.

 

They raised three children in Upper St. Clair Pittsburgh and his dental practice was in Mt. Lebanon, PA. They were active in Westminster Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder. They enjoyed their membership at St. Clair Country Club and was active in the Women’s Golf Association. She was a Sigma Kappa sorority sister, member of PEO, and Christian Women’s Club.

 

The many years of her Christian life took her to volunteering at the Soup Kitchen, tutoring in after-school programs, visiting shut-ins and taking meals. As a family they parented a Hungarian refugee in 1957-60. A great experience was being a volunteer with Youth Guidance in Pittsburgh and having a one-on-one relationship with a young teenager.  The family will treasure her dedication to scrap booking recording all special celebrations and trips.

 

She enjoyed her Bible study groups, book clubs, and participating in golf events. Her greatest joy was being with Dave and the children. They had hours of fun on the ski slopes, paddle tennis courts and boating. Their favorite get-away was to their cottage on Deep Creek, MD and later at the cabin in the Poconos.

 

They retired to Hilton Head in 1994. They loved their church, Hilton Head Presbyterian PCA, and golf club, Bear Creek, and especially the grandchildren. Evie received Jesus Christ as her Savior when her daughter, Lynn, led her to the Lord. After the passing of two adult children, she wrote their story and was published by Desert Ministries, entitled, “A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance”.  Her life verse was Romans 8:28.

 

A memorial service will be at The Island Funeral Home and Crematory on July 9 at 2:00 p.m. Gifts may be given to Hilton Head Presbyterian Church in her memory. Her remains will be inurned in the Columbarium of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA.  

 

February 2019

Nine Things I’ve Learned in Nine Decades: Evie McCandless

Age:93

On LOVE
I have learned that true love is unconditional. We may not love something our child does, but we always love the child. We were made to be loved and to love. Our first instinct is to be held and made to feel secure. The Bible has a lot to say about love. First Corinthians 13 is often quoted at weddings: “Love is patient and kind, not jealous or boastful or rude. Love rejoices in the right. Love hopes and endures. Love never ends.”

A few years ago, a dear friend gave me a book titled, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. I’ll share some of the highlights here: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Take a nap every afternoon. Hold hands and stick together. Good basic advice in life.

ON HEALTH
Do all things in moderation. Let your conscience be your guide.

ON RELIGION
Jesus Christ is my Savior. I praise God for my daughter, Lynn, who led me to the Lord when she was 17. My faith has sustained me through the years, and especially when Lynn died suddenly in a car accident. Years later, our son, Mark died suddenly from meningitis. In these desperate times, we need our Comforter. Dave (my husband) and I walk with the Lord. Christian friendships are so vital. We cry together, and we laugh together. Our son Jeff and his dear family live here as well. We pray together and are comforted that each of them knows the Lord. A verse in the Bible that gives me hope is Romans 8:28: “All things work together for good to those who love The Lord and are called according to His purpose.” We are blessed to live in a land where we are free to worship as we choose.

ON REGRET
Regret is a hard thing to live with. You look back at an event and wish you could do it over. Do not let your tongue be your enemy. Life is a matter of sowing and reaping. Let your harvest be rejoicing, not weeping.

ON EXERCISE
If you are interested in good mental and physical health and happiness, you must exercise. Walking is the best. Walk with a friend or your spouse. It is the best time to talk, and you are in the beautiful outdoors. I love the sunshine. I go outside every day. I no longer bike or golf or ski, but I walk, and I thank Jesus I can walk and talk with Him.

ON MARRIAGE
The war ended in 1945. I was a freshman in college. Suddenly, our campus was filling up with the recently discharged soldiers from the armed forces. After our third date, Dave and I were madly in love. I graduated; we had a lovely church wedding; I got a job and I love to say, “I put Dave through dental school.” This February, we are celebrating our seventieth wedding anniversary. That is a long time to live together! You do fall in and out of love, but commitment is strong, and what God puts together stays together. Talk, laugh, listen, be patient, and encourage one another. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

Dave surprises me often with his sincere compliments. He fills the empty spaces in my life and makes me feel secure. Our love has been tested with trials and challenges, and we have held fast. Love is a strong foundation. Marriage is new every day. Never stop working on it. The scripture Ephesians 5:33 exhorts: “Wife, respect your husband; husband, love your wife.” God will bless your efforts. Go for it.

ON PARENTING
Parenting is the most important job you will ever have. It is also a privilege. I feel honored to be a mother and grandmother. Amazing that we parent without any formal training. A motherly instinct is inherent. Mom and Dad should work together and support each other. Discipline with love. Set boundaries. Your most valuable tool is listening. Listen to them.

Our children watch us, so set a good example. Teach and learn. I love it when I learn from them. Young people are so smart. Conversation around the dinner table is a good time to share and encourage each other. Find the activity you all enjoy and play together. Cherish your family moments. You have heard it said, “The family who prays together stays together.” It works.

ON GRACE
Grace is defined as unmerited, unearned favor. It is what we receive in knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord. It is free—a gift. We have received an abundance of grace. We are healthy, have each other, have family and friends to love. I am still learning to be thankful, to be still and know God.

ON LOWCOUNTRY LIVING
We thank God we were born in America. We are very grateful that we were encouraged by Jeff and Debbie to move to Hilton Head Island. For me, life in the South is more casual with more freedom to be yourself. This is a very friendly island, and it has everything one could hope for. Enjoy each day. Take a walk and enjoy the sunshine. Let the North keep their snow and cold. Greet your seasonal visitors with a warm hug and your best cup of tea.

 

            

Saturday
9
July

Memorial Service

2:00 pm
Saturday, July 9, 2022
The Island Funeral Home and Crematory
4 Cardinal Road
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States
843-681-4400
Share Your Memory of
Evalyn