Evelyn L. (Bookout) Gatewood (June 10, 1926 – May 12, 2024) of Paragould, Ark., formerly of Rector, Ark., passed from this life on Sunday, May 12, 2024 at St. Bernard’s Hospital, Jonesboro, Ark., reaching the golden age of 97 years.

The youngest of nine children, Evelyn was born on June 10, 1926 to Robert and Etta (Adams) Bookout in Rector. Born during the Great Depression (the Greatest Generation), she kept the values learned during the Great Depression throughout the rest of her life.

On August 8, 1944, Evelyn married the love of her life, Joy Gatewood, and to this union two children were born, Pam Gatewood Hunter and Sonjia Gatewood Fulkerson.

Evelyn leaves behind to celebrate her life, her children, Pam (Preston) Hunter and Sonjia (Andy) Fulkerson: her grandchildren, Amy (Mark) Myer, Jason (Megan) Hunter, and Jon (Kia) Fulkerson, her greatgrandchildren: Dylan Hunter, Katie Hunter, Preston Myer Juli Fulkerson, Reese Fulkerson, Evelyn Fulkerson, and Rylan Pay plus many beloved nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Joy Gatewood: parents, Robert and Etta Bookout; father-inlaw and mother-in-law, Ebert and Dorothy Gatewood; brothers and sisters, Newt Bookout, Pete Bookout, Paul Bookout, Truman Bookout, Donald Bookout, George Bookout, Mary Curtis and Lucille Williams.

Always enjoying a good adventure, Evelyn and her sister, Lucille, moved to St. Louis in their teens to work in an ammunitions factory to support the war effort in WWII.Atrue “Rosie the Riveter” experience. Evelyn was a devoted member of the Rector First United Methodist church for 70 years where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School for many years.

Quite creative, Evelyn enjoyed flower arranging in addition to arts and crafts. Many of these talents she utilized while a member of the Fairview Home Demonstration Club where she shared her love of sewing and cooking with the group. She was known for her delicious pimento cheese sandwiches and wonderful desserts that were popular at events.

Evelyn was one of the first eighteen residents to move into Chateau on the Ridge, where she spent many wonderful years supported and cared for by the dedicated Chateau Staff. The family appreciates all they did for Evelyn during her years there.

Funeral and visitation were held Thursday, May 16, 2024 starting with visitation at 1 p.m. and the funeral at 2 p.m. at the Irby-Mitchell Funeral Home in Rector. Rev. Dane Womack, Paragould First United Methodist church and Rev. Jonathan Bevil, Rector First United Methodist Church officiated the service. Interment was at Woodland Heights Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to: Rector First United Methodist Church, 116 West 3rd Street, Rector, AR 72461 or Collins Theatre Foundation, P.O. Box 904, Paragould, AR 72450