Reola Aldean Evett

Reola Aldean (Latting-Stroud) Evett, 86, of Watervliet finished her journey here on earth at the home of her daughter and son-in-law on Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010. Reola is now safely in the arms of Jesus. Graveside services celebrating her life will be held at 1 PM Monday at the Coloma Cemetery with Rev. William Hughes and Pastor J. O. Hosler officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives from 2PM to 5PM on Sunday at the Davidson Chapel of Florin Funeral Service in Coloma. Memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospice or to the family. Reola was born October 15, 1924 in Cord, Arkansas to Elmer and Ovvie Joe (Shreve) Latting. In 1943 she married Otto Griffith Stroud who preceded her in death in 1971 and they had four children. After her marriage, Reola continued her education and graduated in 1944 from Leachville High School in Arkansas. In 1946 she and Otto moved to Benton Harbor where she worked for various companies – The Box Factory, Auto Specialties, VM Corp., and The Watervliet Paper Company. Reola was very proud to have been able to attend Lake Michigan College and take accounting classes which enabled her to receive a promotion from working in the factory to working in an office. Her promotion was obtaining a position with the Payroll Department at VM Corporation where she continued until their closing in 1977. She then was hired by the Watervliet Paper Company, as their Senior Payroll Clerk where she worked until retiring in 1988. On June 2, 1973, she married Clinton A. Evett who preceded her in death in 2002 and together they owned the Midway Sport Shop in Watervliet from 1976 through 1981. Reola also enjoyed doing genealogy and spent many hours in libraries and on the computer finding information on ancestors. Reola was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church in Benton Harbor, where she taught Primary Sunday School Class for several years. She loved her church family and was very proud when her son accepted Jesus and became the Sunday School Superintendent. She loved to sing and especially loved congregational gospel singing. Reola is survived by two sons, Larry N. (Donna) Stroud of Benton Harbor, MI, Gary T. (Nora) Stroud of Okolona, Mississippi; her daughter, Sherrie (Michael) Teed of Watervliet; a brother, Verl Adell (Vernell) Latting of Kansas City, MO; four sisters, Ottie Venable of Sulphur, LA, Vida Hodges of Jonesboro, AR, Reda Lavern Butler of Andalusia, AL, and Pat (Charles) Graham of Benton Harbor, MI.; her 8 grandchildren, Larry Stroud, Jr., William Stroud, Kenneth Stroud, Maxine Cronk, Tina Stroud, Gary Stroud, Jr., Dustin Stroud, and Dawn Peachey; her 17 great-grandchildren and her 1 great-great-granddaughter. Reola was also preceded by her parents; her first born child, Kenneth, in 1944; her brother, Tony Latting; her sister, Elleba Clester and 1 great-great-grandaughter.

Tributes

Reola Aldean Evett

October 15, 1924 - November 3, 2010