Eva Lorene Brand, 87, of Columbus, passed away peacefully at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, after a three-year battle with cancer.
She was the first child of the late Farley and Iva Mobley Thompson. Eva married Bernard F. Brand on Feb. 28, 1948, in Bartholomew County. Together, they had three children.
Eva is survived by her husband of 69 years, Bernard; children, Michael (Claudia) Brand of Laurel, Maryland, and Susan J. Brand of Columbus; granddaughter, Cassie (Mike) Pratt of Crothersville; great-grandchildren, Steven, Dakota, Simon and Eva Pratt of Crothersville; brothers, Vernal H. Pruitt of Freetown and Robert Thompson of Charlotte, Michigan; and sisters, Esther Hodge of Seymour and Vonda J. Stanton of Charlotte, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Stephen R. Brand; and her sister, Betty Pruitt.
During the 1950s, Eva was actively involved in the home-building business in Columbus. In 1960, after they had started raising a family, she and Bernard purchased and moved to a grain and livestock farm near Story. Eva’s interests shifted to raising her children, managing their cattle herd and shopping for repair parts and supplies for the planting and harvesting equipment to keep working in the fields. What a versatile woman!
Eva liked to cook and bake. She liked gardening, canning and freezing the vegetables she grew and the fruits she would gather from the wild. She and the children would be seen, each with a bucket, headed out to gather nuts, berries, persimmons, mushrooms and whatever might be in season. They would do a little fishing in the nearby pond and creek, usually with good luck.
As the children grew older, their activities changed, but Eva always had time to take, observe, encourage and see them safely back home. When the children had their own transportation, able to get themselves to practice sessions and games, Eva was still there to observe and encourage. Up to the day she passed away, she was an inspiration to the entire family and will remain so until we join her in Heaven.
Eva enjoyed interacting with other people. Everyone she met came to like her and admire her very much; how could one keep from doing so? She was an amazing woman and we would love to have her back.
Calling will be from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home, 4205 Jonathan Moore Pike, immediately followed by a graveside service in Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Brand family at barkesweaverglick.com.
