Evelyn Brock

Evelyn Long Brock passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, after an extended course of Alzheimers.Born in Dalton, Ga., she moved to Ooltewah, after her father received a promotion with the Southern Railway. She attended Ooltewah School in the old James County Courthouse.As a young adult she worked at Dixie Yarns and F.W. Woolworth until she married a soldier and followed him to Fort Rucker, Ala., and Camp Kilmer, N.J. After returning to Chattanooga, Evelyn worked at Davenport Hosiery and Cutter Laboratories.Evelyn established Chattanoogas first retail floor coverings business, The Rug Mart, on Lee Highway in 1959 and later sold the business. Three years later she re-entered the floor coverings business under the name "Magic Carpets" in the same location. She owned and operated the two businesses for a total of 42 years serving prominent families, businesses and others until she retired -- at age 79!Being a business owner did not interfere with her commitment to her family. She taught herself to cook and sew and is known for her luscious cakes, potato salad, sweet tea, and fabulous chicken 'n' dumplings. She made her own and her children's clothing and filled her home with charming curtains and decorative pillows. She taught these skills to her daughters. She assured her children active involvement in scouting, sports leagues, and in the supportive and loving fellowship of East Lake Baptist Church. Eight grandchildren ranging in ages 7 to 35 and five great-grandchildren ages 18 months to 12 are her pride and joy.Her greatest love was for her large extended family including her father and stepmother, six brothers and sisters and spouses, their 18 children total, and too many grandchildren to count. The family reunions that featured fabulous home cooked food, weekend trips taken together, egg hunts, fun, laughter, games and memories are cherished by the now grown children, and repeatedly shared with their children and grandchildren. She was the oldest living family member in attendance at a recent reunion attended by 80+ members.She was preceded in death by parents, Henry M. Long Sr., Genette Blalock Long and Gladys Hodgson Long; siblings, Elsie Long Evans Parton, Edna Long Chiaravallo, Willard J. "Dooley" Long, James Morris Long and Henry David Long Jr.She will continue to be cherished by her beloved sister and her husband, Bertha and Carlton Hague, of Ooltewah; her children, Roger (Diana) Brock, Mary (Tim) Andrews, of Chattanooga; her daughter, Polly (Russ) Westbrook, West Grove, Pa. Her grandchildren, Katie Graff, Rachel (Anthony) Guy, Rusty, Laura and Meredith Brock, Chris and Matt Andrews, Cal Westbrook; great-grandchildren, Madison, Jake, Jack, Marianna and Elizabeth; sisters-in-law, June Long, Oxnard, Calif., Betty Long, Cookeville, Tenn., Louise Long (David) Young, Chattanooga; a host of nieces and nephews who serve as pallbearers.A service of celebration is 1 p.m. today, Dec. 8, in the funeral home chapel.Interment will follow in Ooltewah Cemetery.Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to the Martin Boyd Christian Home, Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga."Well done, thou good and faithful servant."Arrangements have been entrusted to Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services Franklin-Strickland-Pinkard-Bryan-Smith Funeral Directors 1724 McCallie Ave., 423-265-4414.