Emily Everly

Emily May Everly passed away peacefully after a long illness on March 25, 2014. She was born Emily May Harris at the family ranch in Soledad, California on October 26, 1934. Emily and her identical twin, Edith Helen, were born prematurely. Their father, Edwin, placed one tiny babe in each hand and warmed them one at a time for a few seconds in the wood burning oven. In later years Emily would recount that story to her amazed grandchildren. Emily’s mother, Edna, a first grade teacher, home-schooled the twins for a few years. When Edna went back to teaching for the local school district, the twins entered public school. Emily loved school and all her new classmates. She graduated from Gonzales High School in 1952. She moved to Salinas, CA, worked at a bank and shared an apartment with her sister. She met a local young man, Albert B. Everly, Jr., and they married in 1954. They settled in Salinas and raised three daughters. In 1960 the family moved to Capitola and in 1971 returned to Salinas. Emily and Al traveled extensively in their fifth wheel. Playing cards with friends and dancing were favorite pastimes. They were happily married for 42 years until his death in 1996. In 1984, Emily retired from the Monterey County Sheriff’s office after working in the telecommunications division where she supervised her staff through the transition from teletype to computer communications and records keeping. Emily’s faith was a constant, sustaining force in her life. An active member of St George’s Episcopal Church in Salinas, she served in many capacities including alter guild, vestry and choir. She found much joy in preparing lovely flower arrangements each week to beautify the sanctuary. Emily valued her pioneer heritage, and as a 54 year member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West she worked to promote and preserve the history of California. She treasured the life-long friendships developed with her Native Daughter sisters and was proud of their many accomplishments. She was a dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother with the sterling qualities of loyalty, sincerity, honesty and generosity. She was loved by many. Emily is survived by her dear companion Joseph Bennett. Their love and commitment to each other never wavered through their 14 years together. Also, her daughters Arlene Tavani (Rocco) of Salinas, Barbara Maldonado of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Karen King (Randall) of Crownsville, Maryland; sisters Edith Howe of Salinas and Kathleen Curtis (Douglas) of Winston Salem, North Carolina; grandchildren Melissa King of Chicago, Illinois, Jonathan King of Columbia, Maryland, Domingo Gutierrez of Salinas, Tracy Maldonado of Salinas, Michael Maldonado of Guam, Cassandra Castillo of Laurel , Maryland, and Alicia Castillo of Los Banos, CA; and great grandchildren Savannah Jordan, Carina Castillo, and Inessa and Mia Maldonado. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 am on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 98 Kip Drive, Salinas, CA 93906. Memorials are suggested to the Native Daughters of the Golden West Childrens Foundation, www.ndgw.org/child_found.htm; or St. George’s Episcopal Church.