A private cremation service took place at the North Devon Crematorium, Barnstaple followed by a service of thanksgiving at the Church of St Swithun, Pyworthy.

Rev Alison Hardy conducted both services with Mrs Lynn Sullivan the church organist.

The eulogy was read by Steve Durrant (grandson) and a poem was read by Jade and Vicky (granddaughters).

Evelyn was born on October 18, 1932, to Alice and Owen Snowden, at The Bungalow, Derril. She was the third of five children with her siblings Eileen, Bill, Pat and Linda.

Evelyn attended Pyworthy Primary School and Holsworthy Secondary School. She also regularly attended Derril chapel as well as helping at home on the farm — milking cows and delivering milk. After leaving school, she worked for Dr Brown in Holsworthy.

Evelyn met Sam and they married on April 25, 1950, making their home just down the road at 2 Lower Village in Pyworthy. At the time they had to save coupons to be able to buy their first kitchen table. As the years progressed their family grew and they had five children — Shirley, Janet, Colin, Margaret and Peter. A large family led to a busy family life and all enjoyed occasional days out to the seaside and visiting the moors.

Always a local lady, Evelyn was actively involved in Pyworthy village life for instance helping out with sports day teas and church fetes as well as being a member of the WI. She also worked locally cleaning at the council depot with Sam where he worked.

She was a fantastic cook and baker. It felt that every time you visited there was an endless supply of home baking to feed her ever growing family.

Boxing Day roast turkey will never be forgotten by all the family with a turkey that would hardly fit in the Rayburn needing a chair to wedge the door shut. There were always two sittings — grandchildren and mothers first, then the boys after they returned from the pub sometime later!

Sam and Evelyn spent 48 years of happy marriage together before Sam passed away on September 19, 1998. Since then, Evelyn continued her devoted care for Colin with help from their family.

Pat was always on hand with trips to Holsworthy on a Wednesday to do her shopping or visit the market and in later years many trips to the health centre to whom the family have always been grateful.

Eveyln also enjoyed her lunches out and garden centre visits with Eileen, Pat and Linda.

She was always happy to welcome visitors and would pull up a chair for a chat and a cup of tea with anyone — be it the window cleaner or family. And who could forget the endless biscuits, buns and cakes. Something I know I enjoyed as a child and my children enjoyed whenever they visited.

Visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren were always so special to her. You just had to look at the Aladdin’s cave of photographs on her dresser in the living room to see how important family was to her.

In later years she began to slow down, not forgetting she was in her 90s so help around the house from her granddaughter Stacy was much appreciated with a coffee and chit chat to finish.

She has truly been an amazing and wonderful mother, gran and great gran who will be greatly missed by all her family. She was one of a kind who has left everyone with very special memories.

Family mourners: Shirley and Roy Francis, Janet Durrant, Colin Jennings, Margaret and Kevin Andrew, Peter and Lin Jennings, children; Lorraine, Richard and Maria Francis, Steven and Marianne Durrant, Tony and Rachel Durrant, grandchildren; Eve, Emma, Lauren and Christopher Durrant; Pat and Ken Smallacombe, Linda Goodman, sisters; Brian Smallacombe, Marie and Ken Robert, Emma Smallacombe, Evie Smallacombe, Stephen and Jackie Goodman, Leah, Paul and Karen Goodman, Tony and Daphnne Jennings, Michael Jennings, Paul Jennings, David and Jemima Snowdon, Gat and Trevor Slater, Donna Colwill, Richard Kingdon, Anne Grassly, nephews and nieces; Mr and Mrs T Snowden, Mr and Mrs T Sillifant, Mrs P Colwill (rep Colwill family), Mrs P Moores (A robins), Mrs K Snowden, D Colwill (Mr S Colwill).

Unable to attend: Steph Francis, Adam Trace, Laura Toze, grandchildren; Ruby, Poppy, Elsie, Olivia, Nathan, Tia, Erin Molly, Caeden, Oakley, great grandchildren.

Messrs and Mesdames: E Moon, A Langman, J Burnard (Mrs S Burnard), A Burnard, A Parrish, N Stacey, M Johns, A Jones.

Messrs: D Hambly (Mrs M Harris, Gifford family), J Ley, P Bowden (Mrs M Bowden), R Holman (Mrs J Holman), S Gardiner (Mrs A Skinner), P May (Mrs V May), J Horwood (Mrs J Horwood), H Johns, L Vanstone, R Moores (Mrs J Moores and family).

Mesdames: L Lowes 9churchwarden), A Davies (churchwarden), V Palmer (Mr N Palmer), M May-Yates (P and V May, A and P Marshall, Amberellas and family), L Sullivan (Mr R Sullivan), J Axford, C Buse, S Cowan-Dickie (Miss L Wickett), J De Rosa, J Lapham (Mr J Lapham), N Mitchell, M Gelder (Pooley family), S Greenaway (family), A Wallace, H Arbin.

Miss: A Vanstone.

Ms: A Witts.