Evelyn Thornton Tucker Rickman

Evelyn Rickman of Central, SC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 5, 2020, at 99 years of age in the loving care of Hospice of the Foothills, Seneca, SC, and her son and daughter-in-law, Mickey and Sue.

Evelyn is survived by her two sons, Dr. Claude M. (Sue) Rickman and Rev. Cary (Rev. Linda) Rickman; son-in-law, Rev. Ron Wallace; five granddaughters: Dr. Elizabeth Rickman Paine (Dr. Christian); Stephanie Rickman Salsman (Dr. John); Meredith, Rhonda, and Carmella Wallace; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and sister Ruby (Charles) Clerget. She was pre-deceased by her parents; husband of 62 years, Dr. Claude R. Rickman; daughter, Sharon Wallace; two sisters, Evangeline Crutchfield and Carol Phaup; and one brother, Everett Tucker.

Born to Albert and Lydia Tucker in Guilford County, NC, on April 24, 1920, Evelyn was the oldest of five children. After attending Wesleyan Methodist College (now Southern Wesleyan University), she married Claude R. Rickman and became a war bride and bore their firstborn while Claude served on the USS Texas in the United States Navy during WWII.

She served alongside her husband, Claude, in his various leadership roles as an ordained minister in the NC District of the Wesleyan Church. For many years, she was the assistant to the NC District Secretary. She shared her husband's call and deep commitment to Southern Wesleyan University (known then as Central Wesleyan), serving as registrar while Claude was Academic Dean, living in Child's Hall for 11 years while he was Dean of Men, and fulfilling the responsibilities of First Lady during his 11 years as President, traveling thousands of miles annually representing the university alongside him.

Evelyn loved sewing, crocheting, knitting, and delighted in making dolls and stuffed animals for the grands and beautiful afghans for all the family. Even at 98, she was helping fellow residents learn to knit in Assisted Living at Clemson Downs. Loving music, she played the piano and sang and instilled the love of classical music in her children through their formative years. She expressed deep emotions through her original poems, many of which are bound in a book for sharing. In addition to illustrating some of her poems, she enjoyed sketching and painting with watercolor and oils. The family remembers her yeast rolls, and grands loved the homemade donut days! She was widely known for her devotion to her big dogs. She enjoyed the outdoors and took great delight in her own greenhouse and gardening over the years. Though she missed her azaleas and rose bushes after moving into Assisted Living at the Clemson Downs Retirement Center eight years ago, violets and unique plants were nurtured lovingly beside her lift chair, and flowers adorned her patio in all seasons!

A devout Christian and prayer warrior, she was the oldest member at the time of her death of ALIVE Wesleyan Church in Central, SC. She remembered attending the church at all its locations, beginning as a student in the late 1930s. She was a member of the Ina Gaines Sunday School Class led by her devoted teacher par excellence, Dr. Gloria Bell, and was blessed with many life-time friendships from among the ladies of the church, community, and university.

Funeral services will be held at ALIVE Wesleyan Church, Central, SC, on March 9, 2020, at 2:00PM. The family will receive friends before the service in the ALIVE Chapel beginning at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with her and her husband's lifelong commitment and dedication to the university and its mission, donations may be made to Southern Wesleyan University to the Rickman Scholarship Fund at P.O. Box 1020, Central, SC 29630.

The Rickman family would like to express their gratitude for the wonderful care provided by the staff at Clemson Down; Sarah, devoted Providence Hospice Nurse; the loving care at Cottingham Hospice of the Foothills; Dr. Stan Rampey, beloved physician and friend whom she now joins in heaven; Dr. Don Wood, visitor and "Colfax" conversationalist; Bill French, incredible Clemson Downs volunteer generously giving of his time and talents; Wanda Shirley, Clemson Downs Activity Director "Exemplar"; Becky Davis; and Pastor Fred and Sonnie Andrews for their love and care through the years.