1936
Everette
2009
Everette Berlin Ballew
December 22, 1936 — February 13, 2009
Everette was born Dec. 22, 1936, in Asheville, Buncombe County, N.C., to Berlin Ballew and Mildred "Pansy" Williams. He grew up in a large family, with nine brothers and sisters.
He was an avid athlete and loved baseball. As a boy, he was given responsibility early and helped his family throughout his life.
Everette was deeply appreciative to his parents for their hard work and example of goodness to him. Despite the distance caused by his career in the military, his love of family and friends, along with memories of his boyhood in Asheville, were an important part of his life.
Everette married Norma Sue Gilmer on Dec. 2, 1956, in Oklahoma City. He had entered the U.S. Air Force with permission from his father and served more than 20 years in the military service, both within the United States and multiple foreign countries.
He was gifted in mechanics and had an innovative mind. Over his career in the military, he worked in the Minuteman missile program, oversaw the operation of liquid oxygen plants and was skilled in all aspects of heating and air conditioning.
Following military retirement, Everette worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass being the second employee of the local plant maintaining the operating equipment of the facility. He was a creative thinker and loved to submit new ideas to enhance operations.
Everette went by the name "Ed" and enjoyed the work, camaraderie and humor Owens Corning friends brought into his life.
As a father, he had responsibility to raise and provide for five girls, which he loved dearly. He was a perfectionist, and instilled a strong work ethic and emphasized the importance of "doing your best" in all things.
He loved mechanics and relaxed with his cars, motorcycles and his pets. He loved music, played the guitar and especially enjoyed the guitar music of Chet Akins.
All of Everett's family express our gratitude to our Dad's friends, neighbors and especially his grandson, Michael, for the support and love given over his life. This love and sustaining support have meant a great deal to all of us.
He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Norma; his parents, Berlin and Mildred Ballew; two brothers, Frank and Richard; and three sons-in-law, Tom Beatty, Paul Robinson and Nolan Evans Jr.
Survivors include five daughters, Carolyn Sue Beatty, JoAnn Grant and husband Ken, Linda O'Donnell and husband Glen, Brenda Allen and husband Ronny and Debbie Brown and husband Shane; eight grandchildren, Vernon Everette Evans, Michael Evans, Renee Key, Matthew Robinson, Garrett Robinson, Aubrey Gardner, Andrea Brown and Erica Brown; 10 great-grandchildren, Auvi, Zoe, Kelby and Conner Evans, Maverick Evans, Ethan, Evan, Donovan and Johnathan Key and Aiden Robinson; three brothers, Mack Ballew, David Ballew and Anthony Ballew; and four sisters, Ruth Penley, Shirley Scott, Annette Penland and Patricia Allison.
He was an avid athlete and loved baseball. As a boy, he was given responsibility early and helped his family throughout his life.
Everette was deeply appreciative to his parents for their hard work and example of goodness to him. Despite the distance caused by his career in the military, his love of family and friends, along with memories of his boyhood in Asheville, were an important part of his life.
Everette married Norma Sue Gilmer on Dec. 2, 1956, in Oklahoma City. He had entered the U.S. Air Force with permission from his father and served more than 20 years in the military service, both within the United States and multiple foreign countries.
He was gifted in mechanics and had an innovative mind. Over his career in the military, he worked in the Minuteman missile program, oversaw the operation of liquid oxygen plants and was skilled in all aspects of heating and air conditioning.
Following military retirement, Everette worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass being the second employee of the local plant maintaining the operating equipment of the facility. He was a creative thinker and loved to submit new ideas to enhance operations.
Everette went by the name "Ed" and enjoyed the work, camaraderie and humor Owens Corning friends brought into his life.
As a father, he had responsibility to raise and provide for five girls, which he loved dearly. He was a perfectionist, and instilled a strong work ethic and emphasized the importance of "doing your best" in all things.
He loved mechanics and relaxed with his cars, motorcycles and his pets. He loved music, played the guitar and especially enjoyed the guitar music of Chet Akins.
All of Everett's family express our gratitude to our Dad's friends, neighbors and especially his grandson, Michael, for the support and love given over his life. This love and sustaining support have meant a great deal to all of us.
He was preceded in death by his dear wife, Norma; his parents, Berlin and Mildred Ballew; two brothers, Frank and Richard; and three sons-in-law, Tom Beatty, Paul Robinson and Nolan Evans Jr.
Survivors include five daughters, Carolyn Sue Beatty, JoAnn Grant and husband Ken, Linda O'Donnell and husband Glen, Brenda Allen and husband Ronny and Debbie Brown and husband Shane; eight grandchildren, Vernon Everette Evans, Michael Evans, Renee Key, Matthew Robinson, Garrett Robinson, Aubrey Gardner, Andrea Brown and Erica Brown; 10 great-grandchildren, Auvi, Zoe, Kelby and Conner Evans, Maverick Evans, Ethan, Evan, Donovan and Johnathan Key and Aiden Robinson; three brothers, Mack Ballew, David Ballew and Anthony Ballew; and four sisters, Ruth Penley, Shirley Scott, Annette Penland and Patricia Allison.
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