Soulmates for Eternity
Charles Verlin Bevins age 87, and Barbara Joyce (Hollinger) Bevins age 85, both of Greenville and formally of New Madison left us to be with our Lord and each other. Barbara passed away at 9:30 pm on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, and Charles passed away exactly 2 weeks later at 11:15 pm on Wednesday, May 5, 2021, both at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton.
Charles was born on December 10, 1933, to the late Roy and Cora (Sleppy) Bevins. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Barbra Joyce (Hollinger) Bevins. Additionally he follows his siblings, Paul, Merle, Evelyn, Lowell, Johnny, Marvin Bevins and Emma (Bevins) Nichols. He is survived by his brother, Wilbur Bevins and sister, Dorothy (Bevins) Cloyd.
Barbara was born on September 6, 1935, to the late Herbert S. and M. Evelyn (Murphy) Hollinger. In addition to her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her infant brother, Billy Joe Hollinger. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Ted (Vickie) Hollinger of Morrow, Ohio and sister and brother-in-law, Wilma Jean (Joe) Jenkinson of Greenville.
Classmates in the Class of 1953 at Westmont High School in Hollansburg, Ohio they wed on February 12, 1956, and were married for 65 years. Together they are survived by the family they created, their 3 daughters, Vickie (Jeff) Tuttle of Leesburg Florida, Karen (Benny) Bierly of New Madison and Carol (Chris) Pearson of New Madison. Their grandchildren, Athena Tuttle, James "Andy" Tuttle, Amos (Tiera) Tuttle, Benny (Ashley) Bierly II, Matthew Bierly (Amanda Brumbaugh), Heather (Josh) Derksen, Troy (Samantha) Pearson, Casey (Roxanne) Pearson and18 great grandchildren and a multitude of nieces and nephews.
They were together in most everything they did and above all else family was their priority. They were that true perfect match and the one that each was supposed to be with, they shared common interests and did most things at each other’s side. As we attempt to piece together their lives the memories we share are many and these words we write down will not be sufficient enough to adequately portray them.
As their daughters married and went off into the world, they did so knowing that their parents loved and supported them. Ultimately their girls settled down and while two stayed in the area one moved to Florida. For years Charles and Barbara would travel to Florida to visit them and that visit was something they always looked forward to. Equally as important to them was the visit they received from the grandchildren in Florida who spent a lot of summers at Grandma and Grandpa’s. Alongside their Ohio cousins the Florida kids would participate in many activities and Charles and Barbara would be there to support each and every one and they loved watching their grandkids growing up together.
As a couple they enjoyed collecting antiques and both developed a passion for restoring some of the items they acquired, Charles enjoyed repairing clocks and become known as “Charlie the clock guy” and Barbara helped refinish many of their pieces and also enjoyed redoing cane bottom chairs. They also enjoyed going to local festivals and selling sno-cones and soft drinks out of a trailer that they built. Family gatherings were a frequent occurrence and both greatly enjoyed those activities. Family gatherings almost always meant homemade ice cream which again proved they were a perfect match, because Barbara loved making it and Charles loved eating it and everyone knew “there’s always room for ice cream”.
Both were sports fans and spent countless hours together watching the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Buckeyes but when sports weren’t available you could bet they watching old programs on TV, especially westerns.
They were lifelong members of the Beach Grove Church of the Brethren and they enjoyed participating in the many activities there. Charles developed a passion for dartball and the fellowship and competition that came with it. Barbara enjoyed being at the games to root for him and their children and grandchildren who played as well.
Though they were taken from us abruptly our time to mourn has passed because we choose to cherish our memories and to celebrate their lives and legacy that we are now charged with continuing.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home in Greenville. Burial will follow in Greenmound Cemetery in New Madison. The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 18, 2021, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Beech Grove Church of the Brethren. Condolences for the family may be expressed through www.zecharbailey.com.
