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Evelyn

Lucile Landis

Agnor

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May 13, 2022

Evelyn Lucile Landis Agnor, affectionately known all of her life as "Tillie", passed from this life on May 13, 2022, in Tampa, Florida with her family at her side. Born on April 11, 1929, in Covington, Virginia to Joseph Howard Landis and Minnie Stoup Dressler Landis, she was the youngest of a large family. Her eight siblings were Clyde Landis, Frances Sprouse, Carl Dressler, Sr., William (Bill) Dressler, Sr., Charlotte Keyser, Ida Harris, Blanche Burley and Nettie Campbell. The family shaped her life with a joy of living and an ever-present optimism. This loving family gave her many memories as well as many nieces and nephews. She continued the tradition of joy, vitality, and making a difference with her own family and was the loving mother of Robert Joseph "Bob" Agnor, Freda Agnor McClung, and Charlotte Agnor Baker. She extended her love to their spouses, Kathy Stinnett Agnor, James "Jim" McClung, and Michael Baker and thought of them as her own children. "Granny" was the very proud grandmother of Liza Agnor Fitzgerald, Kelly McClung Kendrick, Holly Marie McClung, Nicholas James Baker, and Ryan Patrick Baker. She was a loving great grandmother to Luke Fitzgerald, Evelyn Fitzgerald, Henry Fitzgerald, Mason Kendrick, Logan Kendrick, and Nolan Kendrick. Tillie graduated from Covington High School in 1947 and soon caught the eye of an Army Air Corps sergeant, Fred James Agnor, a veteran of World War II. Together, they started a lifetime of love and adventure. Tillie had trained and was scheduled to get her beautician license, but she threw caution to the wind and married Fred after graduating in 1947. They left Covington and were stationed in Washington, D.C., Texas, France, New Hampshire, Florida, and Louisiana, as Fred eventually joined the United States Air Force and took his young family on adventures around the US and overseas. No matter how far they travelled, Covington was always "Home" and the family delighted in the summer vacations home to reconnect with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and the matriarch of the family, Tillies mother Minnie. Tillie did not let her stylist skills fall by the wayside. She cut, styled and permed hair for her friends and anyone who asked on Air Force bases throughout the USA as well as overseas, never charging a dime. Her mother Minnie and sister Charlotte Keyser, who both worked at Covington Department Store as seamstresses, taught Tillie the art of sewing. Tillie made dresses, suits, dance recital outfits, and formal gowns for her daughters as well as square dancing outfits for her relatives and a range of colorful custom designs for her grandchildren who asked her to bring to life amazing costumes allowing them to become dancing senoritas, winged butterflies, pilgrims, clowns and more. Her creativity knew no limit. As a military wife, she was an expert at setting up a home and then taking it down when the time came to leave. During those years she worked at the base exchanges, in the booming manufacturing industry in New Hampshire, and in childcare. Teaching her children the importance of hard work, she was a great example her nickname actually came from a famous comic series that started in 1921 entitled, "Tillie the Toiler" in which Tillie was a stylish working girl. She never knew her name was Evelyn Lucile until she came home from school crying because no one at school called her "Tillie". Her parents told her she could be called Evelyn or Lucile. She chose "Evelyn"; however, "Tillie" was the name she went by forevermore. There were many fun filled summers with family gatherings at "the Farm" on Potts Creek, with cookouts, swimming, horseback riding and sleepovers. Tillie gave her children lots of leeway, but she was also protective, and her children still hold images of how she dealt with hapless snakes who happened to get too close! When Tillie and Fred left the service after a career, they retuned "Home" and started their new life in Covington, including the newest addition of the youngest child Charlotte. Finally, they were able to put roots down, and enjoy being with family. Tillie was an active church member at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church throughout her years and enjoyed being a Sunday school teacher. There was never a dull moment with Tillie, and she refused to just sit home and retire. She became a house mother and worked tirelessly for the Boys Home of Virginia caring for young boys in need of love and kindness. Many Covington residents will remember her time and energy as a waitress at the K-Mart Cafe making ice cream sundaes, floats, and milkshakes with overflowing amounts of whipped cream. She loved the social interactions of meeting so many new people and gaining many friends. She cared greatly for those in need and volunteered not only for her church but also the American Cancer Society. Tillie was very close to her beloved neighbors in Jackson Heights, especially Carolyn and Freddie Ambrose and Mary and Donald Baker. She was also happy to have her home in the same neighborhood as her brother Clyde Landis, Sr. and his wife Sadie, and her nephew Clyde Landis, Jr. Dear to her heart were all her many nieces and nephews. While Josephine Harris Paulus and Marion Campbell Williams were her nieces, they were also her constant friends and ever by her side in many adventures. "Granny", as she was affectionately called, so loved her grandchildren, Liza, Kelly, Holly, Nicholas and Ryan. Liza was her original grandchild and Granny set the gold standard for fun by often taking her to the pool and downtown shopping at Leggetts Department Store. She traveled to Alexandria just to be help Liza get her driving permit. At every opportunity, she would go to Roanoke to be with Fredas daughters, Kelly and Holly. Picking up the girls from school always resulted in exciting, unplanned adventures. Granny was ever present in the lives of Nicholas and Ryan from the time they were born. She took them to soccer, set up backyard games for them and their friends, and held season passes for Busch Gardens, the zoo, and local museums where she kept them engaged. During her years in Tampa watching over Nicholas and Ryan, Tillie ran the show and kept the roads hot with energy to spare. She developed many new Florida friendships with activities that kept her eternally young, like swimming, water aerobics, travelling, socializing, and sightseeing. As always, she was seen with a big, beautiful smile on her face. Her most famous saying to us was "Itll all come out in the wash." She was always right. Tillies love for her family and friends and her perpetual happiness have marked a life well lived. We celebrate her life and her Christian faith and her final resting place in heaven. On Friday, May 20, 2022, the family visitation night will be held from 7:00 pm until 8:30pm at Arritt Funeral Home in Covington. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am. Following the service, the burial will occur at Alleghany Memorial Park and a reception will take place immediately thereafter at the Family Tree Ts Caf at 100 Old Church Street in Low Moor, Virginia. The funeral arrangements are being handled by Arritt Funeral Home. The online guest registration is available at arrittfuneralhome.com.
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Visitation

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Final Resting Place: 

Alleghany Memorial Park

7008 Winterberry Ave., Covington, VA 24426

Tributes

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Tribute Posted

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Kathy and Robert McCoy

Sep 22, 2023

So sorry to hear of Gene’s passing.
We wish you good memories, peace, and comfort now and always!

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Ryan Summers

Sep 21, 2023

I knew Evan through the EB community as we both suffer from this disease. I used to love playing Fortnite with him especially because he was so good at it. It was amazing to know him, and I am going to miss those times. He touched my whole family even though we live far away in Massachusetts. We are all thinking of your family in this hard time.

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The Randozzo Family

Sep 21, 2023

We are so sorry for your loss prayers for comfort as you go through the hard time.

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Kimm Robertson

Sep 21, 2023

Watching this young man over the years be so courageous. He loved his Momma and sisters so much. Thank you for sharing Evans Journey with us. I will continue prayers for your family. I know in my heart that Even is running around heaven enjoying having no pain. God Bless you all.

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Elizabeth Gardner

Sep 21, 2023

I will never forget you Evan Michael Groves. Caring for you was a pleasure and I will forever be changed for the better by knowing you. Your courage and goodness are a rare gift that an Sending love and comfort to your precious family.

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Virginia Doyle

Sep 21, 2023

May God continue bless you all 🙏🙏🙏🙏

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C&O Historical Society

Sep 21, 2023

Very sorry to hear of Evan's passing. We remember his visit to the Heritage Center in July of 2022 and his love of trains. Our thoughts and prayers are with Evan's family.

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Kimberly R Andrews

Sep 20, 2023

As I watched this young man grow from a toddler when you guys moved in beside me, I was simply amazed at the heart and can do in him. I loved seeing him enjoy everyday adventures that most children take for granted, swinging on a swing, playing in the snow, play with his trucks in the gravel and sliding on waterslide between our houses. It is not going to be the same on the drive without him. Many prayers and much love to you and the girls.

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Yvonne Harvey

Sep 20, 2023

Christina, you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I feel like you have been my family since I have kept up with Evans journey. You have been the best mom.I wondered how you did it all.Thank you for allowing us to be apart of Evans life.I sure am gonna miss him. He is riding his train and we know he is happy.

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Heather Mann

Sep 20, 2023

Many thoughts are with you Christina and his sisters. I know your hearts are so heavy right now but we know dear Evan is free of the horrific pain he lived with all his life. He was such a strong boy and I know his tired little body is now at peace. God be with you all and comfort you during this difficult time. He was so special to so many people.

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Kay & Eddie Long

Sep 19, 2023

Dad (Leonard) and (Mom) Phoebe with us four children (Carol, Kay, Wilson and Barbara lived beside (Uncle Abe and His wife Trudy, with their four children John, Alvin, Lorraine, and Gradey. Many years we all had the best fun and wonderful memories of wonderful country living and mountain air. My best memories of Uncle Abe “ was come Spring to plow the garden. As a young girl, I always wondered how the heck did he keep that big work horse from running off with him when, plowing the garden. That big work horse practically ran with him. Uncle Abe had the most wonderful garden each summer and took great care to tend to the garden and always shared with us. I will always remember Uncle Abe stood by our Family when ( Dad) Leonard passed. We were very grateful for that. Uncle Abe, now there is a (Bountiful Garden) in Heaven that is waiting for you and all those passed before you. Uncle Abe your hard work here on earth is done. You have been a Wonderful Servant unto our Lord. May you Rest In Peace. You will be missed. Kay & Eddie Long.

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Addie Holesapple

Sep 19, 2023

Sending so much love to Christina, Chyanne, Hannah, and the entire family! 💗 Evan was such a sweet, special soul and will be forever remembered. Praying for peace and comfort both now and in the days and years to come.

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