Evelyn Garlington

Evelyn Garlington, age 86, of Fordyce, Arkansas passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2015. She was born April 4, 1929 in Harrah, Oklahoma to the late Reverend Ross W. and Lena Baxter Cook. Evelyn graduated from Alma High School as Valedictorian in 1947. She received BSE degrees in Art and Psychology from Arkansas State Teachers College in 1951 and was their first graduate to receive a Library Science Degree. She later received a Masters in Library Science from Texas Women's University. She moved to Fordyce June 1, 1952 where she married James Garlington Jr. Evelyn was passionate about books and art, and divided her career between working as a librarian and an art teacher. She was a school librarian in Fort Smith, Osceola, and Fordyce. She was Director of the Dallas County Library for 12 years and established the Art Department at the Fordyce High School where she taught from 1971-1981. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, including the Mary Mays Circle, Beacons and was, of course, the church librarian. Evelyn's home always overflowed with books, art supplies, paintings, and several on-going craft projects. Books were a window to the world for her as a little girl growing up in the Depression and they continued to be her joy and solace throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, James Garlington, Jr.; her parents; two brothers, William Harvey Cook and Paul Roy Cook; and two sisters, Marybeth Sturgis and Vivian Russell. She is survived by a daughter, Jane Ann Jones-Schulz (Jerry Schulz) of Little Rock, Arkansas; a son, Timothy Mark Garlington (Marti) of Ruston, Louisiana; a brother, Alburton Cook (Bettie) of Gainesville, Texas; two grandsons, Nicholas Jones (Lauren) of Little Rock and Garrett Garlington of Ruston, Louisiana; and one granddaughter, Michael-Anne Garlington of Ruston, Louisiana. Visitation will be 12 noon until 2 p.m. Friday, September 18 at Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. Funeral services will immediately follow visitation (2 p.m.) at the funeral Home. Burial will be at Wright Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Evelyn requested, along with family members, that donations be made to the Dallas County Library or the First United Methodist Church Library in Fordyce. Arrangements by Benton Funeral Home in Fordyce. To sign the online register www.bentonfuneralhome.net.