Evelyn Dunham was born on July 29, 1931 in Tignal, Georgia, to the union of Willie and Margaret Kelly. She was the sixth of nine children. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Raymond Dunham; son, Keith Dunham; and daughter, Crissanda Dunham.

Evelyn received her education in the Tignal, Georgia School District. She graduated from Tignal High School.

After high school, Evelyn attended Barber-Scotia College in North Carolina. She studied to become a teacher 1949-50. In addition to being a student, she was a student-athlete. As an athlete, she was a point guard for the college women's basketball team.

After college, Evelyn moved to Seattle, Washington in 1950, to live with her parents. While she lived with her parents, who bought a home in Bremerton, Washington. She was proud that her father worked at the Bremerton, Washington Navy Yard, where he retired, and her mother raised the children as a homemaker.

Evelyn briefly worked at the U.S. Postal Service as a Sorter before Boeing as a Riveter from 1951-1953. After raising her family, she worked and retired from the Exchange PX as a manager for a jewelry department.

Evelyn met and married the love of her life. She married Raymond Dunham, Jr. on December 10, 1953. Two children, Crissandra Dunham and Keith Dunham, were born to this union.

Evelyn departed this life on March 11, 2025, at home.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories: two brothers, Lenon and Norris Kelly; four grandchildren, Alicia Harvey (Donald), Calisha Durham (Adam), Marques Dunham (Melinda), and Kristopher Dunham; seven great-grandchildren, Lisa Harvey, Donald Keith Harvey, Arianna Durham, Naomi Dunham, Mya Dunham, Norah Dunham, and Malaya Dunham; fiercely supported by her loving nieces, Margaret Briscoe, Jacquie Kelly, Gaylar Greer; and great-niece, Katrice Shaw-Charles; and nephew, Thomas Harper. She will also be missed by numerous family and friends including Cheryl Dixon-Hills and the Dunham family.

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc .