Evelyn “Ep” Heilman Harris

Evelyn “Ep” Heilman Harris, age 91, of Hendersonville, North Carolina,
departed to be with the Lord in the early morning hours of Sunday, August 08,
2021. She was the daughter of the late Paul Heilman and Evelyn Banta
Heilman and was born in Pleasureville, Kentucky on October 16, 1929. She
was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Harris.
Evelyn graduated from Baptist Hospital Nursing School in Louisville,
Kentucky and was a Registered Nurse for approximately 15 years—a career she
was dedicated to as well as accomplished. She met her husband John while
living in Frankfort, Kentucky and while on duty in the ER. They were married
in 1964. After she and John married they moved to Indiana so John could
manage a Department Store. She was very devoted to her family and made
many friends throughout the years, often accompanying John to work at the
Hendersonville Belk’s Department Store. She assisted him in his managerial
tasks and loved meeting the sales associates and most often had a smile and a
compliment for everyone she met.
Most of all she adored her family, especially her grandchildren. She was
blessed to have a son, Don Harris, married to Linda Edwards Harris. Their
children are Donnie Harris and his wife, Tommi Swinson Harris, and Michelle
Harris Cermak and her husband, Cliff Cermak. When Donnie and Michelle
were children and visited Nanny they could always find a dish filled with
Hershey Kisses, Yoo-Hoo drinks in the refrigerator, along with a dish of
Macaroni and Cheese. Her love for them never wavered and was reciprocated
with many hugs and conversations and in her later years taking her back and
forth from her retirement facility. Her love was multiplied when her great
grand-children Hugh Harris, Lois “Lulu” Harris, Riley Cermak, and Jude
Cermak were born.
Almost every day she spoke with her siblings by phone. Her brother Bob
Heilman and his wife, Carol Heilman, of Hendersonville, NC, and sister Betty
Brown and her husband, Gene Brown, who live in Midway, Kentucky as well
as her sister, Mildred Marshall, of Chattanooga, Tennessee were always
available for a conversation. If she did not call them or they tried to call her
and got no answer, her son would receive a phone call of much concern. She

always thought fondly of her nephews Lance Marshall and David Heilman and
nieces Debbie Burdine, Robin Olds and Sara Burghardt.
She was a member of Balfour Methodist Church, Hendersonville, NC. She was
an old-fashioned lady who enjoyed so much that life had to offer. Whether it
was a John Wayne movie, or anything pink, or her dogs, or her collection of
bird figurines (especially blue birds), or jewelry or dressing up, she was ready.
She was a marvelous hostess, opening her home to her family, friends, and
neighbors quite often. Her home in Hendersonville, NC exuded a
peacefulness that is rare and all who visited were in for a treat. Though she
has lived in Charlotte, NC for the past nine years she thoroughly enjoyed her
years in Hendersonville, NC.
A graveside service at Forest Lawn, Hendersonville, NC will be held Saturday,
August 14, at 2:00 pm.