Evelyn Jean Cale Egbert of Palestine

(08/09/2021)
Evelyn Jean Cale Egbert of Palestine WV, passed away April 20, 2020, 8 days prior to her 92nd birthday, at Ohio Valley Health Care in Parkersburg WV. She was born April 28, 1928 in Parkersburg, the daughter of the late Lawrence Cecil Cale and Faith Flick Cale.

She graduated from Wirt County High School in 1946 and worked at the Viscose Plant in Parkersburg prior to enlisting in the US Navy as a WAVE 1951-1954. While living in Virginia Beach VA, she worked for Sears Department Store and sold Avon before moving to Wirt County in 1968 where she and her husband, Melvin (married in Aug 21,1954 in Hernando MS, purchased a farm where she still resided. A lot of folks will remember her for the blueberry patch on the farm, where many came to pick berries and enjoy a visit over the years.

She was an active volunteer with the Wirt County Primary Center, a member of Daughters of the American Pioneers, Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Wirt County Historical Society. She was always a supporter of Wirt County School Bands, 4-H Clubs, FFA and Boy Scouts of America with her children and grandchildren.

She was a longtime supporter of Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination on both the local and national levels. She also belonged to the local TOPS group and made many trips with them around the United States and Canada through the years. She has been an active member of the Elizabeth United Methodist Church since 1968. In 2010 Jean was recognized as a West Virginia history Hero by the state of West Virginia.

She is survived by her daughter, Faith Jean (Keith) Smith of Elizabeth WV; her son, Daniel Park (Pat) Egbert of Palestine WV; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Johnny) Nolan of Zanesville OH, Daniel Park (Lindsey) Egbert II of Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, Chad (Tamara) Smith of Louisville TN, Gretchen (Ryan) Sprouse of Harpers Ferry WV, and Derek Egbert of Palestine; great-grandchildren, Isaac Nolan, Trenton Ashley, Jordan Nolan, Aaron Ashley, Cody Egbert, Briana Egbert, Elara Smith, Kelthyn Smith, Reid Sprouse, Whitley Sprouse, and Maggie Sprouse.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Melvin in 2017; her brother and sister in law Clyde and Virginia Cale; and her sister and brother in law Eleanor and Melvin Watson.

Memorial Service 4:00 p.m., August 21, 2021, at Elizabeth Methodist Church. Time of gathering 2:00 p.m. until time of service.

The family would like to express their thanks to Camden Clark Memorial Hospital, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital and Ohio Valley Health Care for their wonderful care and support. The family would also like to send a special "Thank You" to Susan Kirby, for her years as a caregiver and helper to Jean.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Elizabeth United Methodist Church, PO Box 549, Elizabeth WV 26143.

Matheny Whited Funeral Home of Elizabeth was honored to assist the Egbert Family.