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Born Eveleena Yvonne in Bald Knob Arkansas November 10, 1951, she moved with family to Portland, Oregon where her parents Rosie Lee and Arthur Mann Carson would raise her. She grew up attending Hughes Memorial Church and later Ainsworth Church and inherited both her mothers fearless, adventurous spirit and her fathers steadfast, unbounding heart which would all be traits she exhibited throughout her life.
Though her parents were not always excited about her determination to see more of the world, she was nonetheless the daughter they raised. Upon graduation from Grover Cleveland High School on June 12, 1969, she moved to the Cayman Islands. For the two years she spent living as an expatriate, she would describe the experience as equal parts exciting, revealing, adventurous and in equal measure, completely indulgent and unnecessary. In an effort to expand her world view even more, she became a flight attendant with Northwest Orient Airlines. This experience allowed her to travel even more extensively adding to the unique flora of her experiences that colored her conversations through the rest of her life.
She would later join her childhood sweetheart Billy R. Flowers moving to Bellingham, Washington where they were married August 31, 1976. In January of 1978, they welcomed their first child, Jamila, followed 18 months later by son Jarrett. She was a devoted stay-at-home mother to the two young children and structured a rigorous homeschooling program that would rival any lesson plan she would later create as an educator - not that this was always appreciated by the two children. The family returned to Portland to be close to their families while Billy started his journey in chiropractic. During this time, she worked at the Benson Hotel and formed friendships that she maintained to this day.
In 1989, she decided to return to school with the goal of completing her bachelor's degree. She started at Portland Community College as a “non-traditional” student. Her fears of returning to school in an environment so vastly different from her last educational experiences did not outweigh her determination to reach her goal. In August of 1991, she welcomed her youngest daughter Clarke, but still kept her education a priority.
Throughout her journey, she exhibited humility and a willingness to accept what she did not know and ask for help. She was pleasantly surprised to find that her experiences as a wife and mother resonated with many of her classmates and added depth to their experiences as well. She received her Bachelor of Science from Portland State University on December 13, 1997. Attending this graduation was a very special gift she was able to share with her mother, Rosie Lee, who herself had minimal formal education, but taught her daughter that hard work and determination are rewarded with the grace of Christ Jesus from whom all things are possible.
On August 14, 1999 she received her Master of Education from Portland State University and began her educational career at Boise-Eliot Elementary School. Starting as a third grade teacher, she was able to sprinkle the class room with a unique combination of mother-wit, compassion, empathy and a no-nonsense attitude - it was a classroom full of love. Former students would continue to visit her throughout the years knowing that they could always rely on her truthful counsel and raucous support of all their endeavors. She again took a leap of faith
transitioning to administration becoming assistant principal until her retirement. Her leadership, experience, counsel, friendship and steady-hand were always readily available for not only the students, but also her co-workers. From these years with Portland Public Schools, she gained many more life-long friends.
Through all of her life experiences, her love for the Lord was a constant. She was last a founding member of Irvington Covenant church. She had also been a member at Maranatha Church and Glad Tidings church in Bellingham, Washington. She did not merely pass-through life, she made an impact on everyone she encountered. In her, you found a cheerleader who believed in you more than you believed in yourself. You had an encourager who had the ability to recognize your unique gifts and celebrate them until you accepted that you were worthy of the praise. Your tears and victories were all shared in equal measure. With you, she was completely present - never wasting any moment of pure frivolity, love and joy. These are the enduring lessons from her life that far outweigh the loss we all feel from her absence on this earth.
Left to mourn her loss is her husband of 45 years Billy R. Flowers, daughter Jamila Flowers, son Jarrett Flowers, his wife Demietra and daughter Kobi, daughter Clarke Flowers and her husband Matthew Smith and son Brooks. She also loved stepchildren Kelci and her daughter Savanna and Javaughn (J.T.) and welcomed her bonus grandchildren Lyric and Carl Branch and his family. Extended family members and friends from Portland, Oregon and across the country will all intimately miss her presence.
Columbia Edgewater has COVID restrictions due to state mandates, see attendance requirements below service information.
Family has requested in lieu of flowers, send donations in Evelyn's memory to All Hands Raised. The link to make donations is located below.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Evelyn Y. Flowers, please visit our floral store.