Evelyn Schlenker Freeland

BILTMORE FOREST - Evelyn Schlenker Freeland, 95, of Biltmore Forest, NC passed into the LORD’s presence on Monday, October 24, 2022. Born in Long Beach, California, October 17, 1927, she was the daughter of Willard Ernst and Frances Reave Schlenker. The eldest of three children, Evelyn grew up in a loving Christian home. She was a graduate of Narbonne High School, Lomita, California, and also of Pacific Bible College ( now Azusa Pacific College), Azusa, CA where she completed a Bachelor of Religious Education Degree in 1955. God’s plan for Evelyn’s life was realized from the start as one of her first working experiences was as a teller in a bank in San Pedro, the Los Angeles harbor area, where she was exposed to dealing with people in all walks of life. This led to her next position as secretary to the minister of San Gabriel Union Church, Dr. W.J. Hemphill of Asheville. North Carolina. Seven years later she felt the need to change positions so she resigned and went on a trip to visit friends in Hawaii. Through a friend there, she met the man who was in Hawaii to set up a Billy Graham Crusade. He needed a secretary and Evelyn prayerfully accepted his offer to help support this evangelical outreach so thus began her sojourn with Dr. Graham’s ministry. Within a few short years of working with the Graham organization, Evelyn was invited to move east to Western North Carolina and become secretary to Dr. T.W. Wilson as well as to Ruth Bell Graham, Mr. Graham’s wife. Evelyn’s service to her LORD and the Grahams spanned over 42 years and for her included wonderful and meaningful friendships. The first day in Montreat, NC she called the only person she knew in the area, Christine Hemphill, Dr. W.J. Hemphill’s sister. Christine invited Evelyn to join her at the Asheville Bible Church the next day, and it was there that she met Don Freeland, a local accountant. Two years later, Don and Evelyn were married at the altar of the Asheville Bible Church. Evelyn loved to travel with Don and had many enjoyable experiences as they explored Europe and the United Kingdom, either by themselves or with friends. She especially enjoyed visiting friends who lived in France and Spain as it enabled her to enjoy the local cultures. Of course there were trips back to California with Don on visits to family and friends. Evelyn also loved to read, to cook, and her hobbies included fine cross stitch, and scrapbooking. All of their journeys abroad and at home were beautifully chronicled in journals with words and pictures. Evelyn is survived by her loving husband, Donald L. Freeland; a sister, Elizabeth Schlenker Esslinger of Whittier, CA; two nephews; Rolland Esslinger of LaHabra, CA and Dan Esslinger of Whittier, CA; a niece, Patricia F. Billings of Simpsonville, SC; and many great nieces and nephews. A memorial service for all of her friends will be held Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Morris Funeral Home Chapel, 304 Merrimon Ave, Asheville, NC 28801. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Patrick Leahy and Dr. David Bruce. Immediately following, there will be a graveside service at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard, 2840 Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher, NC. Buncombe County no longer provides escorts to gravesites so please utilize GPS for directions to Calvary Episcopal Churchyard. Memorial gifts in Evelyn’s memory may be made to: Asheville Bible Church 234 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC 28801 ~or~ Billy Graham Evangelistic Association 1 Billy Graham Parkway Charlotte, NC 28201

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Evelyn Schlenker Freeland

October 17, 1927 - October 24, 2022