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Frances Evelyn Eaton
Dec. 26, 1914 Jan. 26, 2011
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Frances Evelyn Eaton passed away on January 26, 2011 at Bethany Home in Ripon. She was 96 years old.  Frances Evelyn Witcher grew up on a farm on the outskirts of Quitaque, Texas.  

She married Edward Knight when she was 17 and they had three children; first was daughter Wynelda, followed by sons Nathan and Damon.  He left her and the children in Texas and came to California to work in the oil fields, intending to call his family to him when he became established.  After waiting for his call that never came, Evelyn packed up the kids and came to California; she then promptly divorced him and found work with Western Union, and settled in Santa Cruz.  Evelyn was assigned to relieve other operators who became sick, or on family leave, etc. During this time, a truly wonderful love story began.  A nice, quiet, hard-working man named Harold Eaton ate at the same diner she did. After her assignment was up, she was assigned to other places and Harold would follow her around and date her on weekends.  She married Harold Eaton in July 1950, and they were happy together for 37 years until Harold’s death in 1987.  They took to rock hounding, and traveled with old and new friends.  Evelyn sold many works of art, especially her unique paintings that incorporated nature scenes with the natural patterns of rock slabs.  Her wise-cracking ways and bright wit served her well, and she made many friends, found arts and crafts a blessing, and tried every day to be of help or useful to others.  

Evelyn will be remembered for her many talents and creativity –from sewing to crafts, to painting, hairdressing, and storytelling.  She made many, many friends over the years and was always known to tell the truth as she saw it.  She loved the Lord, a good joke, a nice tube of lipstick, and her grandchildren, great-, and great-great.  She will be greatly missed.  She is survived by her daughter Wynelda Munceil of Waterford, son Nathan Knight of Sacramento, and son Damon Knight of Manteca.  She adored her grandchildren Linda Dahlmeier, Paul Fisicaro, Raymond Alford, Doug Knight, Kathy deJong, David Knight, Jeff Knight, 12 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Feb, 26, at 10 a.m. at the Bethany Home Library.  Arrangements by Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel; there is an online guest book available at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, Feb. 25, 2011