| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com).
What happened to Tammy?
(c)2007 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL The Evans home is off the Old Sevierville Highway-an area where Charlie Evans grew up. He and wife, Kate, take care of their invalid daughter at their home.
By: DAVID POPIEL
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
04-29-2007
Like a gray cat bounding up a hackberry tree-one of many that lost its leaves to the freeze-spring returned on the back of breezes across our hometown. By the way, if you were heading into Newport on Friday morning along Cosby Highway past the Baxter farm, did you see the black wild hogs? Well, maybe they weren't entirely wild. Two adults and four piglets grazed in the grass not a hundred feet off the roadside-that was about 7:30 a.m.
Last Thursday, I got an e-mail from a family who sounded as if they needed help. Most of the time, as you know, I roam around and chat with folks for a lighthearted column. Later that day I talked with Teresa Lindsey, who said her family needed help-quickly. So I made time to visit her family Friday, after work.
Driving along Old Sevierville road, Charlie and Kate Evans live at 535 in a modest small white house. Charlie greeted me and we talked a few minutes. He used to work at Vernco-later Emerson Electric. But in 1968 a punching machine caused him to lose his left hand. He wears a metal hook and has been disabled since then. His family has lived in Carson Springs area most of his life. His wife is the former Kate Gibson. Days ago at Union Cemetery I happened to bump into her first cousin, Mitchell Gibson. Charlie and Kate welcomed me into their livingroom. With them in a wheelchair was a young woman who obviously had a lot of health problems. That's why they called me to visit. It seems to be a medical mystery-how she got ill and whether she will ever be well again.
You would not recognize her at age 33, if you remembered her from the years she worked with the public in Newport. At age 14, she was already working parttime. Fans of the Dairy Queen, me too, knew her, when she helped manage the restaurant. At the time she was probably married and her name was Tammy Whitt. She was married for about nine years but has no children. Later she went to work for World Finance and was an office manager for years. Some of you may have gone to school with her at Cocke County High until she graduated in 1992. For a short while she worked at Burger King in Pigeon Forge. Tammy has always liked people and been outgoing. That has all changed so suddenly.
Mrs. Evans said it was last November, before Thanksgiving when Tammy began vomiting violently. This persisted for about five weeks and then she got an ear infection, too. Suddenly, she could not recognize her parents and was returned to Baptist Hospital in Newport. Her condition worsened as she became paralyzed and was transferred to Knoxville Baptist for treatment as doctors tried to find out what was happening to Tammy. This was about Christmas time. Eventually neurologists diagnosed her with encephalopathy-inflammation and swelling of the brain with no known cause. She was returned home and takes several medications daily and is practically bedridden. While I talked with Charlie and Kate, she seemed to respond to us but could not speak clearly at all and seemed anxious about me being there. She could smile. Her parents' other children are Teresa and Mike, who lives in a rear house. Teresa's husband, Anthony Lindsey, is a bakery manager at the Newport Wal-Mart.
Teresa told me that Tammy has very little insurance-she is under Medicare but has not qualified for all benefits yet. She will need medical assistance for some undetermined time and the parents have little money. They have gotten help from their church, Bridgeport Free Will Baptist. Teresa and the family are reaching out to other churches and people who may have compassion on the crippled young woman who suffers from severe memory loss, though her sight has come back. She had gone blind. Maybe that was one small present at Christmas time. "We live on a very small income each month and we are struggling to keep the things that we need for her care," said Teresa. They are still unfamiliar with assistance that may be available. The Plain Talk happens to be working on stories to describe all such agencies ready to help. "We pray that God will give use the means to get the medical treatment she deserves and the items she needs for everyday life," said Teresa. Kate Evans said that doctors are hopeful. "They say she will make a full recovery." Anyone wishing to help Tammy with her needs, may call 423-465-2995 or 423-465-2996. At the end of our visit, I reached out and took Tammy's left hand though she had a light grip, yet she seemed to know things would be better. Driving home, I thought, "How blessed we are."
In plain talk, just around any curve on any week an unknown blockade may derail you, but surely there will always be a rescue on the way-and perhaps not too long a coming.
- [S99] Farrar Funeral Home, (http://www.farrarfuneralhome.com), 6 Oct 2007.
Mary Alice Evans Lane obituary
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 7 Jun 2013.
(October 8, 1944 - June 7, 2013)
Charles Marion Evans, age 68, of Newport, passed away Friday, June 7, 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zeke and Etta Evans; and his sisters. He is survived by his wife Kate Evans; son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Felicia Evans; daughter, Tammy Evans; daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Anthony Lindsey all of Newport; brother, Henry Evans; sisters, Lorene Gregg, and Pearl Hodge; grandchildren, Chelsea Lindsey and McKenzie Evans; like a daughter to him Cindy Sutton of Johnson City also several nieces, nephews and other family and friends. Funeral services will be held 7:00 pm Sunday, June 9, 2013 in Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Tim Carson officiating. Burial will be held 11:00 am Monday June 10, 2013 in Resthaven Memorial Gardens, The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm Sunday at Manes Funeral Home prior to the funeral service.
Family and friends may sign the guest register on line at: www.manesfuneralhome.com.
Manes Funeral Home in charge.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: Zeke Evans
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Event Type: Marriage
Event Date: 15 Oct 1943
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee, United States
Age:
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Spouse's Name: Etta Clevenger
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Reference ID: 96
GS Film number: 1928651
Digital Folder Number: 004485966
Image Number: 00461
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