Evelyn Story, age 80, of Hallsville, passed away on March 8, 2024.
She was born Oct. 15, 1943, in St. Louis, the middle of the five daughters of Jess and Avis “Sis” Matthews of Owensville.
Evelyn told many stories of playing with her sisters on the rocky cedar and oak covered hills behind the house her father and mother built on the outskirts of town. Evelyn loved nature and was a bit of a tomboy when she was young. This gave her a way to be close to her father, hanging on his every word to hear his funny stories. She was also encouraged in her love of nature by her mother who was a great cook, home canner and gardener. Sis loved to take Evelyn and her sisters out before the dew was dry to forage berries, plums and other wild delicacies from the surrounding hills and pastures. This was all part of Evelyn’s childhood, growing up on the edge of the Ozarks.
Evelyn was united in marriage with Carl Story in 1959; they were married for nearly 65 years. She always told her children that when her time came, she hoped to go before her Carl because she feared she would not be able to live a single day without him. She was granted this wish.
Evelyn worked from the age of 12, and she along with Carl passed on their strong work ethic to their children and grandchildren. In 1969 Evelyn and Carl bought an old farmhouse and some acreage along Hinkson Creek in Northern Boone County and made the entire place into their private garden of Eden — cultivating vegetable and flower gardens, tending livestock and raising their three children while slowly renovating the old house, with the help of many friends.
Outside of the home Evelyn worked longest and next to last at 3M Columbia, in distribution, for the greater part of her 29 years there. She was an admired colleague who designed and wrote training manuals for many sectors and jobs and was often sought out by her coworkers for her knowledge and remembered for her smile. She was proud of her work on their Safety Committee and she contributed to improving the design and efficiency of their compliance with European Shipping Protocols among many other processes.
Evelyn loved to travel with her family and in various groups of sisters and children and grandchildren. She and Carl visited in all corners of the U.S., from Hawaii to Cape Cod, from Alaska to Florida and she also traveled with family to France and Italy. A very special recent trip came for them in June of 2022 when they traveled to Trenton, Ga. to renew their marriage vows in a church in the same town where they’d been married more than six decades before.
After Carl retired in 2000, Evelyn joined him in retirement soon afterwards. The birth of their first grandchild was the driving impetus in this. But before her retirement, they began a busy time in their lives. They hired a contractor and built a new home, designed by Evelyn, down in the pasture near the creek on the same acreage. Then they re-renovated their old house yet again, subdivided the land and sold it.
Full retirement wouldn’t last long for Evelyn or Carl. They soon formed a partnership with another couple and together bought and renovated an old bungalow, opening the Hudson Street Tea House in Hallsville. A beautiful venue, it brought together many of Evelyn’s interests and talents — fine food, interior design, efficiency in a production line, charming antiques and treasured friendships. One of the best attributes of this endeavor: Evelyn’s youngest sister Gerri ran the dining room for them. Their patrons enjoyed delicious teas and luncheons along with the gracious hospitality the couples and sisters provided. After two years they’d had enough fun and hard work, but the Tea House is remembered by all who enjoyed it in its time.
Evelyn was preceded in death by parents, Jess and Sis; sister, Patricia Decker; and nephew, James ‘Bo’ Decker.
Evelyn is survived by husband, Carl; sons, Mitchell and Matthew; daughter, Angela; son-in-law, Douglas Favero; daughter-in-law, Kristi (Breuer) Story, special friend, Scott Lynch; granddaughters Felicity and Gabriella Story; and grandson Lane Story. Family was always central to Evelyn’s life: her children, grandchildren and in the last two years, a great joy for her was her first great-granddaughter, Emma, giving her and Carl a new generation to hope for and to love. Also surviving are sisters, Judith Kottwitz along with brother-in-law Willard Kottwitz, Kathryn Jane Vandegriffe and Gerri Lynn Carrell; brother-in-law, James Decker; and sister-in-law, Mary Jane Branson and husband Gilbert; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Friends are asked to join Evelyn’s family at a Celebration of Life
April 6, from 1–4 p.m. Please contact the family for further details.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be given to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker-Millard Funeral Service and Crematory, 12 East Ash Street, Columbia, Mo. 65203 (573) 449-4153.
