Evelyn Henly-Patrick

Evelyn Delores Wall Henly-Patrick, 92, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Hospice Home after a sudden decline in her health. True to the way she lived her life, Evelyn was surrounded by the love of her family during her final moments. She was born in Guilford County on October 26, 1933, to the late Thomas Harold Wall and Kate Evelyn McCuiston.

She graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1952 and later attended Greensboro Business College. Evelyn married Pete Henly in August 1956, and together they built a life centered on family, hard work, and service. They later owned and operated two Atlas Van Line agencies, where her warmth, dedication, and gift for connecting with others were evident.

In her mid-thirties, Evelyn found joy serving as a substitute teacher for the exceptional children’s class at Williams High School, where she formed lasting bonds with many students. Her love for children and servant’s heart remained evident throughout her life. As a longtime member of Front Street United Methodist Church, she faithfully served in the toddler ministry, believing that caring for young children was one way God called her to serve. Her spiritual gifts were acts of service and giving, and she often reminded others, “You can’t out-give God.” She also enjoyed serving her community through the Burlington Service League and a local Garden Club, where she built lasting friendships.

After Pete’s passing in 1991, Evelyn reconnected with a high school friend, Bob Patrick. Their friendship blossomed into love, and they were married in April 2001, beginning another meaningful chapter of companionship and shared memories.

Evelyn was a longtime member of Alamance Country Club through both marriages, where she enjoyed the fellowship, friendships, and many happy memories made over the years. She loved dancing, traveling, shopping, boat rides on the lake, and feeling the sun on her toes at the beach. Searching for hidden treasures at Trollinger’s Treasures was one of her favorite pastimes, and she was always ready for another shopping trip.

She also had a lifelong love for dogs. Known affectionately by many as the “Pound Cake Lady,” Evelyn will be remembered for her spunky spirit, generous heart, and unforgettable sense of style. Even at 92, she was still out and about, enjoying meals at her favorite local restaurants, where the servers she cherished became like family. She often shared Lindt chocolates with them, a small but meaningful gesture that reflected her appreciation for others.

Her home—and her heart—were always open. Evelyn had a remarkable way of making people feel like family, welcoming others with kindness, generosity, and thoughtful hospitality. Nothing brought her greater joy than gathering loved ones around her beautifully set table, especially for the family’s cherished Christmas celebrations. She loved her family deeply and took immense pride in every generation. Her family was the garden she lovingly nurtured, blooming with generations of love that brought her endless pride and joy. Although Evelyn lived with pain for many years, she rarely complained. Instead, she chose to meet each day with grace, gratitude, and a positive outlook. One of her favorite sayings was, “It is what it is,” a reflection of the quiet strength, acceptance, and faith that carried her through life’s challenges.

Summer was Evelyn’s favorite season, and she hated when school started back because it meant less time with family. Her car, even without air conditioning, always seemed to know the way to Greensboro and back, carrying her and her loved ones to the family home place where sisters, children, and extended family gathered to share laughter, stories, and memories. Many of her happiest moments were also spent at the lake and in Cherry Grove.

Evelyn loved telling stories from her childhood, sharing memories that reflected the values she carried throughout her life. From a young age, she had a heart for helping others. She often recalled the soldiers who trained at the encampment near the Guilford Battleground, just through the woods from her family home place during World War II. Her mother, Nannie, would welcome these soldiers—complete strangers to their family—into their home, inviting them to sit around the table for a meal she had prepared, take a bath, and sometimes even spend the night sleeping on the back porch. Watching her mother open their home to others left a lasting impression on Evelyn and became a reflection of how she lived her own life. She also loved telling the story of learning to wash dishes at just six years old, when she had to pull up a stool to reach the sink. That lesson shaped her strong work ethic and belief that everyone should do their part. Throughout her life, she passed along the values of hard work, responsibility, and doing your chores.

Evelyn’s love extended far beyond her immediate family. She embraced her nieces and nephews as though they were her own children, offering them the same love, guidance, generosity, and devotion she gave to her children. Evelyn cherished her grandchildren and was especially proud of the adults they became. She loved telling others about their accomplishments, talents, and the lives they were building. Her four grandsons held a particularly special place in her heart, and she often told everyone that she had the greatest grandsons. They would lovingly tease and argue over which one was her favorite—a question Evelyn happily let remain unanswered. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow and mature and took great joy in celebrating the people they became.

One of the greatest gifts Evelyn received was a digital picture frame that allowed her to see, over and over again, pictures of her great-grandchildren enjoying their hobbies, adventures, and accomplishments. She especially lit up when looking at pictures of the two newest great-grandchildren, who were born in the last year. They were truly the apple of her eye and brought her immeasurable joy. She treasured every moment of seeing her family continue to grow and loved celebrating each new generation.

Survivors include her daughter, Sara Turner (Rick); son, Sheldon Henly; stepson, Bobby Patrick; grandchildren, Scott Ely (Wendy), Newton Ely, Will Henly (Morgan), Addison Henly (Kendall), and Jordan Fenderbosch (Andy); great-grandchildren, Xander, Audrey, Ava, Ally, Harper, Marjorie Jay “MJ”, Hudson, August, and Maggie; sister, Kathryn Mims; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family, including her adopted sister, Susan Hunnicutt.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Pete Henly; husband of 21 years, Bob Patrick; her parents; brothers, Robert, Jack, Don, and Frank Wall; and sisters, Betty Moore and Sara Wall Patton.

A service to celebrate Evelyn’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Ray Warren. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home and at other times at Evelyn’s home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Front Street UMC, P.O. Box 2597, Burlington, NC 27216, or to AuthoraCare Collective (Hospice) of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215.

Whether caring for a child at church, opening her home, gathering family around her table, loving a niece or nephew as her own, sharing a thoughtful gift, surprising someone with a Lindt chocolate, or offering a word of encouragement, Evelyn had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, valued, and loved. Her legacy of faith, generosity, kindness, laughter, strength, and unwavering devotion to family will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know and love her.