Mary Evelyn Walker Kirkland – age 83 of Marietta, GA passed away on Thursday, June 16, 2022. Evelyn was born and educated in Tennessee. She graduated from the University of Tennessee and St. Mary’s Hospital with a degree in medical technology. Evelyn moved with her family to Georgia in 1964 where she established herself in the field of hearing for nearly six decades. In 1971, Governor George Busbee appointed Evelyn as the first woman to the Georgia Hearing Aid Dealers in Dispensers Licensing Board. Through her efforts and with the help of Governor Zell Miller sales tax for the sale of hearing aids was removed. With the help of the Georgia Marietta Lions Club and other Georgia Lions Clubs, she successfully established the Lions Club International Hearing Aid Bank. This program provides hearing aids for the needy. President Gerald Ford honored her in 1976 with a presidential award for her contributions to the field of hearing. While serving with the Board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Dispensers for three terms, she assumed a leadership role and was effective in establishing a continuing education program for her profession with the University of Georgia. Evelyn was a longtime member of the Georgia Hearing Aid Society and served as a past officer. In 2008, she was honored by receiving the June Wall Memorial Award for compassionate care of the hearing impaired. Evelyn was involved in community activities including membership in Roswell Street Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, served on the personnel committee, and sang in the choir. She was also a member of the American Business Women’s Association, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, the Order of the Eastern Star, National Hearing Aid Society, and the Better Hearing Institute. In 1978, Evelyn took time off to marry Tom, a widower with five teenage sons, whom she helped raise. They are now all leading successful lives with children of their own. In 1984, Evelyn ran for the Georgia State Senate District 32 in Cobb County. She lost the election but forced a runoff and found new friends. During a presidential campaign visit to Georgia that year, Evelyn got such a tremendous ovation from the crowd that President Ronald Reagan leaned over pointing to Evelyn and said to the crowd, “I’m with her!” In the years 2001-2003, the Republican Party selected Evelyn as the Cobb County, GA Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. She retired in 2018 from her business – Classic Hearing Aid Dispensary in Marietta. She was a world traveler having survived an air crash in Portugal, being robbed in London, and an attempted kidnapping in Rome. She has traveled to over sixteen countries. Evelyn was always a big fan of the University of Tennessee Vols football. She was also known as the “Magic Dimes Lady” who sent dimes to the coaches and team in the 1998 championship year. Pete Rose was also a special recipient of the “Magic Dimes” which he was carrying in his pocket when he broke the batting record of Ty Cobb. Pete and Evelyn established a long friendship when Pete visited UT as a football prospect. They have maintained that friendship to this day.
Evelyn is survived by her brother, Allen Walker of Knoxville; husband, Tom Kirkland; sons, Chris (Michelle) Kirkland, Patrick (D’Lynn) Kirkland, Tim (Kristie), Stephen Kirkland, and Joey (Suzy) Kirkland; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren with two more on the way; niece, Cindy Marley; and nephew, Dwayne (Stephanie) Walker. Family and friends will meet 1:45 PM on Monday, June 20, 2022, at New Corinth Baptist Church Cemetery in Rutledge, TN for a 2:00 PM graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Corinth Baptist Church, 2570 New Corinth Road, Rutledge, TN 37861. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, 865-523-4999. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Mary Evelyn Kirkland October 11 1938 June 16 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Knoxville, Province: T-N