Lynda McGarvey Evans Lee

Lynda Lee Evans McGarvey Lee – This beautiful soul, an incredible Mother and friend, passed on October 7, 2017. She was born May 25, 1933 in Johnstown, PA, grew up in Ebensburg, PA where she enjoyed and experienced as a child much of our country’s history during WWII with Victory Gardens, Civil Air Patrol, etc. She was the incredibly strong daughter to Charles Albert Evans, Sr. and Helen Earl Evans (preceded her in death) whom were amazing Grandparents to Lynda’s children and all their great grandchildren. (Their great-greats would have so appreciated feeling their love!) The father of Lynda’s four McGarvey children, Lt. Col. James M. McGarvey, USMC, (Jim) also preceded her in death. Lt. Col. McGarvey, or as his children referred to him as, Daddy, was a HERO – a Marine Corps Aviator! His A6 Intruder went down over North Vietnam on April 17, 1967. He remains Missing In Action (MIA) to this day. The children and extended family still hope for an answer – someday – closure! Lynda and Jim met at the University of Michigan where they were both students, fell in love almost immediately, ultimately graduated and married. WHAT A BACK STORY to this romance! But it all worked out and what a legacy they have left behind with their children and their children’s children.

Following Lynda’s “seven years in hell” as she referred to the time after losing Jim, Lynda found love again with David Swank Lee. His parents were the McGarvey family next door neighbors. They met after David had done his tour in the US Army and was working for the HVAC contractor Lynda had hired to change out the heating and air unit in the house (the house, by the way, was the first house ever purchased by the spouse of an “unaccounted” military member. Lynda was a trailblazer! SHE is the reason there are Causality Officers in the Marine Corps! More backstory!)

Lynda and David married in 1973. As a result of their loving union, Lynda gave birth to their son, Donovan. She was now the Mother of five loving children who love, adore and respect her. WHAT A LEGACY!

Lynda was a “Warrior Woman!” She overcame much in her life; she raised five children - four on her own following an unbelievable incident and unfathomable, difficult existence. And she did it well – very well – with her unconditional love for her children, commitment to what “she had to do because she had no choice,” strength, faith and support from dear friends!

Her four children from Jim are so glad she found love again with David and their brother Donovan was born. We were again a complete family. Some issues - all families have issues - but our strength and love carried us though!

Lynda was a remarkable woman, an amazing mother, a stellar wife – a Warrior! She is survived by her husband, David Lee, her children: daughter Tara McGarvey Wadson, son Michael McGarvey and wife, Tina, son James Patrick McGarvey and wife Alice, daughter Megan, son Donovan and wife, Jennifer. Dear to her is Margaret Deere McGarvey and Val Evans Warwick. Her grandchildren are many and loved and will always love her! Grandchildren: Eliza, Magda, Mary Helen (Andrew), Katie, Victoria, Abby, Rachel, Brandon, Stormy, Samantha and Rebecca. Her legacy continues with her great-grandchildren – Nathaniel, Isabella, Evangeline, Angel and Brianna. Her brother, Charles Albert Evans, Jr. (Jean), nephew and niece, Chet and Wendy. She deeply loved and is loved by her “Florida Family,” Patsy, Shannon, Mike, their children and grandchildren – the branch of our family that sprung from her “Sister Dear,” Mary Elizabeth, Jim’s sister.

In addition to her family, she is remembered by so many friends from her eight plus decades of caring for others and being a stellar friend: Ren Crawford, Jeanie Chapin, the Jacobsen’s, Tinsley’s, Andherst’s, Porcari’s , Kling’s– the list goes on and on!

Mom, Lynda, Grandma, Gee-Gee will be missed! She made a difference! She will be deeply loved ALWAYS! To the moon and back! She lives on in the hearts of her family and friends.

Her service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at the Greenleaf Memorial Park Lakeside Chapel in New Bern.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Craven County Health Department Foundation to benefit Craven County Hospice, 2818 Neuse Blvd., New Bern, NC 28561.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.