Obituary of Evelyn Owens Stickley

Evelyn Owens Stickley, 89, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 29, 2022 in the care of hospice and with her family surrounding her.   

      Born on October 21, 1932 in Burlington, WV, Evelyn was the daughter of the late John Franklin and Dorothy Bryant Owens and the wife of the late Robert P. Stickley, Jr. She graduated from Stuart Circle Hospital School of Nursing in Richmond and then served in hospitals in various parts of the country. Finally settling in Lynchburg, Evelyn met her husband, started a family, and continued as both an instructor and life-long student. She earned several more advanced degrees at Lynchburg College and retired in 2003 as the Curriculum Coordinator/Assistant Director of the School of Nursing at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital after a fifty-year career in nursing. An unstoppable force, Evelyn then started her own business providing support, education, resources, and care-giver training for autistic children, teens, adults and their families. 

A loving wife of 42 years, mother, and grandmother, super-aunt, friend, and supporter to so many all over the world, Evelyn served as mentor, confidant, pioneer, sage, and advocate as well as in various official capacities at multiple organizations including Planned Parenthood, Camp Kum-Bah-Yah, the Lynchburg Community Action Group, and numerous Democratic Party organizations.  

Throughout her life, Evelyn was an avid reader, a world traveler, a passionate advocate for social and political issues, a faithful friend, and a generous host. In her later years, hosting a meal out with friends and family with good food and warm conversation became her love language.  

   Evelyn is survived by her son, Robert Palmer Stickley, III and wife, Jennifer of St. Augustine, FL; daughters, Eleanor Lee Stickley, and Elizabeth Stickley Lafoon and husband, Don, all of Richmond; sister, Eleanor Hill and husband Bob of Naples, FL; sister-in-law, Lynne, of Modesto, CA; and six much-beloved grandchildren: Eleanor Anne and husband Ken, Mason, Carter Lee, Neil, Bert, and Kira, who were her joy and her source of daily inspiration. 

A memorial service celebrating Evelyn’s abundant life will be held on Saturday, October 8, at 4 p.m. at Orchard House School, 500 North Allen Avenue, with a reception following the service. A private inurnment will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church columbarium in Lynchburg at a future date.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to be made to:  

Camp Kum-Ba-Yah, campkumbayah.org/donate 

Autism Society Central Virginia, autismsocietycentralvirginia.humanitru.com/donate 

Orchard House School, orchardhouse.org/donate-1  

Please remember to vote on or before Tuesday, November 8.    

Diuguid Funeral Service & Crematory, Waterlick Chapel, Lynchburg, Virginia, 434-237-2722, is serving the family. To send on-line condolences, please go to www.diuguidfuneralservice.com.