Evelyn Roberts Wheelus, 78, of Beaumont died Thursday, December 23, 2010, at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was born on October 30, 1932 to Ingeborg Lenea Carlson Roberts and Roland Charles Roberts in Concordia, Kansas.

Evelyn grew up and spent her early childhood years in Kansas City, Missouri. She attended her freshman year at Shawnee Mission High School in Overland Park, Kansas before her family moved to Houston, Texas. A graduate from John Reagan High School, she later attended the University of Houston and the University of Texas where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. In 1957, she married John Ken Dezelle and they moved to Beaumont in 1960, where Dr. Dezelle established his dental practice. Their marriage ended in 1974, at that time her focus became studying at Lamar University where she earned a degree in biology and environmental science. She went on to earn her certification as an ASCP accredited medical technologist at Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth where she worked in the laboratory for the next thirty-three years.

It was in 1983 that friends introduced Evelyn and Kyle Wheelus, Jr. at a program at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. They were married in February of 1984 and loved each other for twenty-three years until his death on November 26, 2007.

Evelyn also loved her church family. She was a member of the St. Mark’s Altar Guild, where she   served as president, southeast convocation coordinator for the Diocese of Texas ECW and opened St. Mark’s Book and Gift Shop with underwriting from St. Mark’s Vestry in 1990.

Some of her favorite pastimes include reading, sewing, gardening and entertaining with good food and friends. Growing up in a musical family gave Evelyn an appreciation for the talents of others that were musically inclined.

Evelyn leaves behind many friends at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, St. Elizabeth’s Laboratory, Mary Howell’s Garden Club, Beaumont’s Wall Street Women’s Investment Club, all these organizations did so much to sustain her and her family during her years of illness.

Survivors include her nieces, Valerie Dobbin of Augusta, Kansas, and Amanda McMahon of Beaumont; uncle, Ed Carlson of Overland Park, Kansas; cousins, Melinda Minks of Kansas City, Missouri, Ed Carlson, Jr. and Anita Osborne both of Overland Park, Kansas, Marilyn Myers and Mary Helen Ballou of Delphus, Kansas; Kyle’s daughter, Collier Wheelus Blades and her husband Richard and their children, Rebecca, William and Matthew all of Houston.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Kyle Wheelus, Jr.; her parents; and sister, Carolyn Roberts McMahon.

Her memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue. A reception of family and friends will be held immediately after her service in the Parlor at St. Mark’s. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Broussard’s.

Evelyn’s family asks for God’s blessings on all who cared for her including Dr. Robert Birdwell and all the staff at Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center, Dr. Mark Toups, Dr. Aris Bransford, Dr. Dominque Boudry and Dr. Harold Bencowitz.

Her family wishes to extend their gratitude to Mea Paschal and Evalene Rowles who took loving care of Evelyn on a daily basis.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder, Beaumont, Texas, 77701; Odyssey Hospice of Beaumont, 550 Fannin Street, Suite #1230, Beaumont, Texas 77701 or to Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704.