Evelyn Frances DeFors : Obituary

Evelyn Birchall DeFors passed on October 4, 2012.
She was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She spent her early years in Plymouth, MI graduating from Plymouth High School. She attended Hillsdale College and the University of Eastern Michigan where she received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She returned to school and studied at the University of Michigan and Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. She ultimately received her master’s degree in Remedial Reading from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. She taught in the Marietta School System, Peabody Laboratory School of Georgia College & State University and remedial reading with the Catholic Diocese of Bucks County, PA. She was a devoted teacher and lifelong learner who was loved and appreciated by many students.

She married John (Jack) Birchall of Plymouth, MI and lived in Atlanta while he completed his degree in Ceramic Engineering from Georgia Tech. After graduation, the couple moved to Milledgeville, GA where they resided for over 20 years. After the death of Jack in 1978, she returned to Savannah, GA. In 1998, she married Joseph DeFors of Ann Arbor, MI. They resided in Savannah GA and Wilmington NC until Joseph’s death in 2005 when she moved to her current residence in Jasper GA.

She was a member of St John’s Church, of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, the Retired Officers Wives Club at Hunter Air Force Base, the Huntington Club of Savannah, the National Reading Association of PA, the Retired Teachers Association and garden clubs. She volunteered for many community projects and activities.

She is survived by one sister, Fern Hannah of South Lyon, MI, one daughter and son in law, Jackie and Richard Lamy of Jasper GA; one son and daughter in law, Gary and Teresa Birchall of Wilmington NC; two step-sons, Joseph Defors of Dewitt, MI and Doug Defors of Windsor, CA; three grandchildren and one great grandson.

At her request, she will be cremated in Jasper, a memorial service for the family in Jasper, GA and the remains interred in Michigan at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the American Heart Association.
She will be missed by friends and family.