Evelyn G. Grimes

Salem - Evelyn Grimes, 91, a lifelong resident of Jefferson until the last few years of her life, died Wednesday, June 4, at Battle Creek Memory Care in Salem. She was born at the home of her parents Arthur and Geneva (Ramey) White.

Evelyn attended the one-room Talbot Elementary School riding to and from on the back of her older sister's bike until she got a bike of her own. As a child, she was a tomboy and loved being outside riding her horse, Midget, on the farm where she grew up. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1951 where she was a cheerleader and May Day Queen. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator with Bell Telephone until she married her husband, Jim, in 1952. Their marriage lasted 71 years until Jim's death in 2023. After her children were older, she returned to work as a secretary at Teledyne Wah Chang. When she retired, she worked part-time at Willamette Valley Vineyards.

Evelyn's greatest passion was traveling. She and Jim visited 16 different countries during their life together and many other locations in the U.S. After they returned home, she would write detailed stories about everything they had seen and done. Her favorite country to visit was Greece, and they returned several times.

Evelyn also had a passion for gardening. Her yard was filled with daffodils, peonies, roses, poppies, tulips, and gladiolas. She was an avid collector of carnival glass and Evening in Paris perfumes, but her collection of coffee cups was her largest--over 300! In her later years, she would listen to music while she was falling asleep. Her favorite songs were Blue Bayou, by Roy Orbison, and Dance Me to the End of Love, by Leonard Cohen.

Evelyn is survived by her son, Terry Grimes, daughter, Kim Royland, and grandson, Ryan Grimes. The family wishes to thank Battle Creek Memory Care and Brighton Hospice for the care they provided in the last years, months & weeks of Evelyn's life. Arrangements are being handled by Wilhelm's Funeral Home in Portland. No services are planned. Her ashes, merged with those of her husband's, will rest in a niche at Willamette Memorial Park in Albany.