Evelyn Hale Meachum

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

The Rev. Dr. Evelyn Hale Meachum, 85, passed away on Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at Truman Medical Center--Lakewood in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by her family following a long illness.

She was born on March 28, 1929, to Ira E. Hale and Ressie Elder Hale in Armorel. She graduated from high school in Hermondale, Missouri. She attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri, and graduated in 1957 with a degree in elementary education with a minor in home economics. While there, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in 1954.

Dr. Meachum had a long and respected career in education and touched many lives. She started teaching in the Southeastern Missouri towns of Neelyville and Wardell. She moved on to teach elementary school and work as a reading specialist in the St. Louis School District for over 20 years. While in St. Louis, continued her own education and received her master's degree in education from St. Louis University.

Her career entered a new phase in Washington, D.C., where she taught at Washington McLaughlin Christian School and earned her PhD. in ministry from Howard University. She then became an assistant minister at Washington, D.C.'s Ward Memorial AME Church. The Rev. Dr. Meachum was a devout Christian and served in various leadership roles, on committees, was a Sunday school teacher and managed church events.

After finally retiring from the teaching profession, Dr. Meachum eventually moved to Kansas City, where she became an assistant minister at Ebenezer AME Church.

Her parents; one sister, Ethel H. Banks; her former husband, Andrew Meachum; and a niece, Jeraye Brodie, preceded her in death.

The Rev. Dr. Meachum leaves to cherish her memories her devoted sisters, Dr. Irene Brodie of Robbins, Illinois; Bertha Buckner (George) of Kansas City;

A nephew, Byron Buckner (Cheptoo) of Kansas City;

A niece, Lori Buckner, Chicago; and

Two great-nieces, Chebet and Maya Buckner.

Funeral services were held Dec. 13 at Ebenezer AME Church in Kansas City. Internment was at Lincoln Cemetery in Chicago.