Jennie Lee Evans

“To all things there is an ending…to Love, there is none.” Joan Walsh Anglund It is very difficult to attempt to put a life well lived into a few short paragraphs. Jennie Lee Evans, also known to family as “Jennie”, “Gentle Lee”, and “Lee Lee”, went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2020 after a hard-fought battle with a debilitating illness. Her best friend Elise was by her side at the end, as she had been from the beginning, holding her hand and making it better. Throughout this difficult time in her life, Jennie was a shining example of strength, independence, and downright stubborn perseverance, in the midst of a raging, physical storm that slowly stole away her freedom. Jennie was the youngest of five children, born in Richmond Va., on October 20, 1942, to parents Helen and Bill Evans. She graduated from Highland Springs High School in 1959 and went on to attend the Medical College of Virginia, obtaining her graduate degree in Physical Therapy in 1965. She left her hometown, family, and friends in Richmond and headed for the big city of Atlanta, Georgia to begin her first job at Easter Seals. She would later leave Easter Seals to work for Emory University. While at Emory, Jennie and her supervisor, Bonnie Blossom, were given the unique opportunity by the Center for Disease Control, to work with a baby gorilla named Rocky. Jennie learned that Rocky loved chocolate and playing with her hair. Because of Jennie’s caring and patience, a special bond was forged. Everyone enjoyed hearing about Jennie’s adventures and her special relationship with Rocky. After leaving Emory, Bonnie and Jennie joined together to form Rehabilitation, Publications Therapy Inc., and delivered a wide range of physical therapy services to people of all ages in the northwestern region of Georgia. She retired in 2007. Jennie is survived by her dearest friend Elise Thomas, her sister Anne Glover (Bill), her sister-in-law Patsy Evans, sister-in-law Iris Evans, and her brother Jim Evans. She is also survived by her many loving nieces, nephews, their spouses and children. She is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and William O. Evans, her brother William Evans Jr., her brother George Evans, her sister-in-law Jerri Evans and her dear friends Bob Ventura and Harlen Perry. All of the passions in Jennie’s life, centered around her enormous love for her friends and family. She cherished time spent traveling, ball room dancing and playing tennis with her friends. Jennie would retreat to the ocean with them whenever possible and loved to entertain during the holidays. She adored Enya, sentimental poetry, playing bridge, sixties beach music, dancing the shag and puppy videos. Though she spent much of her life living a great distance from her family, she would love nothing more than to hear the stories of what everyone was doing. One of her greatest joys was looking through pictures of her friends and family from over the years and reminiscing about the good old days. Jennie’s family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers at Brookdale who cared for her over the last years. She spoke of you often with love and we are all very grateful for your help and kindness. In lieu of flowers, Jennie asked for contributions to be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Kidney Foundation or an animal shelter of your choice. One of Jennie’s favorite authors, the poet Joan Walsh Anglund, writes, “The Journey of Love is long…and does not stop at Death.” We have loved you long, we will love you always, and we will miss you Jennie Lee. Rest in sweet Peace, you are home.