Evelyn Virgina Brightwell

Evelyn Virgina Strawder Brightwell 89 of Valdosta, GA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 22 at the Hospice of South Georgia. She was born on January 12, 1931, in Moultrie, Georgia to the late Minnie Lee (Ward) and Abbie Preston Strawder. She spent twenty years as a Navy spouse traveling around to various bases in the US. Evelyn dedicated her life to raising her three children. After military retirement, the family settled in Valdosta, GA, where she worked in the Lowndes County School System as a teacher’s aid. She enjoyed active membership in the Baptist church throughout her life, and was a member of China Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Moultrie, GA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Coy Cecil Brightwell, Sr.; her parents, Abbie and Minnie Strawder; her brothers: Thomas Edward Strawder and Eugene Preston Strawder; her sisters: Mary Frances Strawder, Katherine Tillman Hand, Dorothy Wright, and Juanita Sasser Harrell.
Survivors include her children: Cecilia Ann Brightwell McCord and husband Hank of Atlanta, GA, Vicky Elaine Brightwell Biles and husband, George of Valdosta, GA, Coy Cecil Brightwell, Jr. and wife Linda of Valdosta, GA; Sister, Geraldine Conger of Baxley, GA; 8 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 in the China Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Moultrie, GA. Her nephew, Rev. Gary Conger and daughter, Dr. Ann Brightwell McCord will officiate services. The family will host a reception in Evelyn’s honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Evelyn’s final wishes were that memorials be made to China Grove Missionary Baptist Church (138 China Grove Church Rd. Moultrie, GA 31788) and Hospice of South Georgia (2263 Pineview Dr, Valdosta, GA 31602). Kind thoughts may be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com . The Brightwell family is being served by the staff at Music Funeral Services, Valdosta.