Evelyn Fernandez passed away peacefully at Mabie Center Southside on Wednesday, March 31, 2010, at age 81.
The youngest of six children, she was born in Chattanooga, TN to Sam and Ova Hubbard and grew up in Princeton, KY. In 1945, she traveled to Hollister, CA to be married to James Tilman Dearing who was stationed at the Hollister Naval Base.
Evelyn became a school bus driver in 1958, first at Tiffany Motors for the Elementary School District, then completing her career with 13 years at San Benito High School. Upon her retirement in 1986, she received a certificate of achievement from the California Highway Patrol for an accident-free career.
She and Andy Fernandez, her husband of 42 years, who passed away in November, 2008, were devoted to each other. They loved visiting with others and, for several years after retirement, spent part of their time in South Carolina, where they took great pleasure in meeting other Christians from all over the United States.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Kozean Wright, son-in-law, Pat Wright, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her brothers and sister, Roy Hubbard, Clint Hubbard, Frank Hubbard, I.H. Hubbard, and Dimples Marentis.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 6th between 3:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. in the chapel of Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister.
Friends and family may gather at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 9:30 A.M. for a procession to the 10:00 A.M. graveside service at Calvary Cemetery 1100 Hillcrest Rd., Hollister. Following the graveside service, there will be a celebration of Evelyn’s life at 11:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church, 2066 San Benito St., Hollister followed by a reception in the church hall.
Donations may be made to the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation for the Mabie Center or the First Presbyterian Church for the sound system c/o Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home 870 San Benito St., Hollister. Visit: www.grunnagle.com for condolences
