Evelyn Pankey

Evelyn Kay Pankey was born in Arlington, VA on April 13, 1959, to loving parents Joseph L. Pankey Sr. and Mazie E. Pankey. She lived her entire life in Arlington, attending Randolph Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Junior High, and graduating from Wakefield High School. She worked for several banks, including Central Fidelity, and Wachovia. She is survived by brother Joseph L. Jr. (Betsy), sisters Carolyn Graves (Cyrus) and Linda Fleisher (John); nieces and nephews Megan Pankey, John Fleisher III (Raven; daughter Leah), Emily Kendall (Austin), Caitlyn and Cameron Graves, and Joseph Fleisher. She also leaves many good friends who will miss her very much. For Evelyn, it was all about love. She took special joy in spending time with her family, who were her best friends, and was a wonderful Aunt "Ebbie" to her nieces and nephews. Trips to Kings Dominion, the zoo, and parks were favorites. "Camp Ebbie" was a highlight of the summer for the younger kids, a fabulous week featuring hiking, picnics, arts and crafts and other adventures - "the most fun ever!" Evelyn attended many of the kids' sporting events, too – softball, baseball, ice hockey (at 6am!), soccer, swim meets, gymnastics, football – she was always there to cheer them on. When one niece's girl scout troop needed an assistant leader, Evelyn stepped up, and became a scout so she could help! She continued her mother's tradition of a Christmas cookie baking party, with more frosting often on faces than on cookies! The annual Easter Egg hunt was super fun too. And just hanging out having fun was special. She was always happy to help in any way, including giving rides, babysitting, pet sitting, errands – whatever her loved ones needed. Evelyn was a member of Glebe Baptist Church until it closed in 1984, and enjoyed helping her mother in the church nursery, helping in the sandwich ministry, and teaching missions to young children. She was a long time member of Arlington Baptist Church, serving in many church ministries, including teaching a preschool class and chaperoning youth group trips. Whenever there was a need, she was happy to help. She also served as a volunteer with CrossLink Inc. medical ministry, and with the Columbia Baptist Food Pantry, where she started a Kids Table for children to do arts and crafts while waiting. She was a baseball fanatic, and was ecstatic to see her beloved Nationals win the World Series in 2019. She also enjoyed playing softball, and was a good hitter and a great teammate. Evelyn was a talented artist, and family members and friends have some wonderful examples of her creativity. She had a great love for animals, including her beta fish JD (short for John Denver). She loved decorating his bowl for holidays and worried about him when she couldn't be there. She was also a devoted Aunt to all the fur babies in the family, making sure they got Christmas and birthday presents and lots of love from her. Her beloved parents and nephew David Pankey went before her, and welcomed her to heaven on August 23, 2022, following a short illness. She will be greatly missed. Visitation will be at Murphy Funeral Homes in Arlington on September 8 from 5pm – 7pm; and September 9 at 10am, followed by a funeral service at 11am. A graveside service will be held at Columbia Gardens Cemetery at 12:30pm on the same day.