Obituary of Evelyn Burnette Aiken ~ 2007

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: New Bern Sun Journal Thursday, Jul 26, 2007





ORIENTAL - Evelyn Burnette Aiken, 87, entered into eternal rest on 
Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at her home in Oriental.  She was born in 
Cheraw, S.C. and grew up in Hartsville, S.C. She attended Limestone 
College and graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 
1941 with a degree in business. She was secretary of the Zeta Tau Alpha 
Sorority and served on the Baptist Student Union governing board.  After 
graduation she moved to Washington and worked briefly for the Treasury 
Department before joining the Department of Agriculture. Her long and 
successful career as a budget officer took her to assignments in Germany 
during World War II and later to Fairbanks, Alaska.  She married the love 
of her life, Russell Aiken, in 1968, and together they lived in Springfield
and Oakton., Va., as well as Temple, Texas. Evelyn moved to Oriental after 
Russ’ untimely death in 1979. In Oriental, Evelyn was to become known as 
the “ambassador of goodwill” through her church work and through her 
business, “Unique Antiques.” Evelyn said she never wanted people to feel 
unwelcome and so no one felt like a stranger after meeting Evelyn.  For 
many years, she was the church clerk at Free Will Baptist in Oriental. 
There her duties included introducing newcomers to the church and keeping 
records of church members. Evelyn often entertained in her home, or 
visited shut-ins and the elderly bringing them flowers, a fruit basket or 
one of her tasty deserts. She touched hundred of lives with her grace and 
thoughtfulness.  Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 tonight at Bryant 
Funeral Home in Alliance. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday 
at First Baptist Church in Oriental with the Rev. Thomas Denton officiating
and the Rev. Murray Etheridge will give the eulogy. A luncheon following 
the service will be served at the church.  Graveside services will be at 
11 a.m. Saturday, August 4, at Fairfax Memorial Park, Fairfax, Va., with 
Father O’Brien officiating.  Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, 
Russell Aiken; her mother and father, Eula Brewer and Clyde Aubrey 
Burnette; a sister, Susan McManus; and two brothers who passed away in 
childhood, Clyde Aubrey Burnette Jr., and Howard Douglas Burnette.  She is 
survived by her brother, Wesley “Bert” Burnette of Oriental, and numerous 
nieces, nephews and friends, all of whom will miss her very much.  
Arrangements by Bryant Funeral Home, Alliance.



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