Evelyn June Titsworth

Evelyn June Titsworth (aka ‘Evie’ to her sisters/brothers) was born February 2, 1932 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana to parents, Owen Todd and Goldie (Brightwell) Todd. She departed this life on April 6, 2023 at the age of 91.

Evelyn was the eighth of ten children and was the last of her siblings to depart this earthly life. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, George Leon Titsworth, parents, Owen and Goldie Todd; brothers, Maurice Todd, Luther Todd, Richard (Bud) Todd, Robert Todd, and Perry Todd; sisters, Margaret Gannaway, Margaret Starks, Lucy Hawkins and Esther Starks.

Evelyn’s Dash

The DASH poem by Linda Ellis focuses on the importance on what you do and how you live your life between the dash. Evelyn grew up in Lawrenceburg, Indiana with her siblings, relatives and friends. The Todd name was familiar to most Lawrenceburg natives. Evelyn enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood with others and took pride in how her parents raised them well despite having little financial resources. Evelyn would often say that ‘her parents did the best they could with what they had’. She shared how her siblings made their own fun and that her brothers were fierce protectors of her and her sisters. She also spoke of the racism that her family encountered while living in Indiana. In fact, Evelyn never learned how to swim because black people were not allowed in the pool until the end of the day when the pool was drained each night.

Evelyn graduated from Lawrenceburg High School. She desired to become either a nurse or a secretary because she was a good typist, but college was not affordable. As Evelyn grew up, she recounted that there was not a lot to do as a young adult because either everyone knew each other, or they were related to each other. Evelyn, along with her sisters and cousins, would venture to Addyston, Ohio in order to see new faces and meet new people. Addyston was where Evelyn met the love of her life, George Leon Titsworth, a handsome and quiet, young man. Evelyn was married at the age of 18 years-old, and they later moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Evelyn and George moved to Madisonville where George and Evelyn’s brothers designed and built their dream home.  George’s parents also moved and lived with them until their death. Evelyn was often praised by her friends and family because they all lived under one roof until their deaths. The entire family became members of Trinity Baptist Church in Madisonville.

From their union, George and Evelyn had three girls, Sherry Ann, Georgina and Karen Cozetta whom she proudly called, “Evelyn’s girls’. She was strict in her parenting and made sure her girls came in before the streetlights came on, and her girls could not date until the age of 16—no exceptions. Evelyn was an excellent example of strength, courage and wisdom, and she taught her girls to become independent women.

Evelyn had a strong work ethic. She worked at the Kroger factory on Eighth and State, and Cintas where she later retired. It was at Cintas, that the Gardner and the Farmer family recognized her dedication and drive and asked Evelyn if she could come work for them. She helped take care of their children, grandchildren and their home for many years. Both of these families were such a blessing to Evelyn and her family. They truly loved Evelyn and Evelyn loved them!!

Evelyn loved to travel with her family and the Gardner’s.  In addition, Evelyn and Sherry went on several cruises with family and friends. Evelyn also loved to take road trips with George and her girls visiting George’s family and her own. Evelyn also loved visiting her sisters and brothers usually with food or something for them.

Evelyn also loved attending birthday parties, graduations, weddings and family outings, family reunions, cookouts, going places with her girls and being a  ‘roadie”  by riding to all of the universities her grandchildren attended and helping them to move in and pack up her grandchildren’s’ dorm rooms/apartments. She also liked to cook alongside her mother–in-law making delicious meals for the family.

Evelyn had such a generous spirit and was always quick to help others. She often gifted others when there was a need. If you happened to visit the Titsworth home, you could not leave without Evelyn asking you multiple times to have a snack and/or have something to drink. She was the consummate hostess.

Evelyn also loved gardening, yard sales, listening to gospel and other genres of music, attending gospel plays, concerts, Ebony fashion shows, and attending her grandchildren’s/great grandchildren’s sport events, plays, and dance and choir performances.

Evelyn was a classy lady and prided herself on her appearance. She was quite meticulous about her hair and clothes and wore lipstick whenever she ventured out to a grocery store, restaurant, etc. Evelyn’s taste in designer clothing and accessories was impeccable. She was a beautiful woman inside and out. In her youth, she looked more like an older sister rather than a mother to her daughters. She truly drank from the fountain of youth. Having a clean house was also important to her, and she would, at times, chide her daughters upon a visit to their homes that were below her standards by saying, “I didn’t raise y’all like this’!! Evelyn had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to laugh. Her laugh was infectious.

George preceded Evelyn in death at the young age of 63, followed by the loss of his mother, and subsequent deaths of several sisters and brothers, which affected Evelyn in ways that we will never fully know because Evelyn did not talk about it and later, could not remember to talk about it. As the years went on, with all of the losses/ups and downs, Evelyn, as we knew her began to change. For several years, her daughters began to take turns and would spend nights and weekends with her while, Evelyn either spent her days in adult daycare or at the rec center while her daughters were at work. At one point, Evelyn could not stand or walk unassisted, and she was admitted to a nursing facility. Over the years, Evelyn was a fighter and overcame several bouts of respiratory illnesses (pneumonia and COVID) and other serious illnesses. However, on April 6 at 12:45 p.m., God welcomed Evelyn into his loving arms as she took her last breath.

As we celebrate Evelyn’s life today and for the rest of our days, she leaves to celebrate her memory and legacy of living her dash, daughters, Sherry Ann Bell, (Jimmy-deceased), Georgina Wilkins White (Paul) and Dr. Karen Cozetta Titsworth; grandchildren, Dustin Bell (Nina), Kenneth Lee Pope (Apryl), Trey Bell (Stacey), Christopher Bell, Bryan Wilkins (Joneeia), Andria Wilkins (San) and Kayla Fowler (Lawrence); and great grand-children, Kenneth Lee Pope III, Chase Pope, Casey Lee Pope, Bryan Wilkins, Jr, Ariel Bell, Josiah Wilson and August Hill, and a host of, nieces, nephews, cousins, bonus grandchildren and friends along with a very special friend, Imogene Anderson.

Well-done good and faithful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, auntie, niece, cousin and true friend.  Evelyn truly lived her DASH!

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