Evelyn Bonita Gardner Pyatt

Evelyn Bonita “Evie” Gardner Pyatt, beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, at the age of 90. Born on December 6, 1935, in Jacksonville, Alabama, Evelyn was the daughter of Melvin M. Gardner and Zora Fay Mintz. She grew up in Blue Mountain, Alabama, where she developed the independence, warmth, and spirited personality that would define her life.

Evelyn graduated from Anniston High School, where she was known and admired as a majorette, a role that well suited her grace and confidence. She continued her education at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

As a young woman in the 1950s, Evelyn moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where she worked for Prudential Insurance Company while living in a women’s boarding home near her office. She delighted in telling stories from that time, most memorably witnessing the filming of The Creature from the Black Lagoon along the St. Johns River. She recalled watching the creature emerge from the water as startled pedestrians ran for safety, a scene she recounted with humor for decades.

Evelyn was proud of the life she built for herself. In her twenties, she purchased her own car and even bought the wedding china she loved from a door-to-door salesman long before she met the man she would one day marry. On June 11, 1960, she wed John Sterling Pyatt at Lakewood United Methodist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they built a loving home and raised two children, Amelia Fay Pyatt Buggle and John Marcus Pyatt.

Throughout her life, Evelyn remained true to her independent spirit. After marriage and becoming a mother, she was a loving and devoted homemaker. Evelyn also chose to share her time and talents as a volunteer and leader at Hope Haven Children’s Hospital for many years. Later she worked for Trek Safaris and as a Cardinal property manager, roles in which she excelled through her reliability, warmth, and natural leadership. Yet above all else, Evelyn cherished her family. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her large, close-knit extended family. She treasured time spent with her sisters and brother, and she was “Aunt Evie” to many who loved her dearly.

Evelyn was the heart of countless family gatherings. She hosted holiday dinners and family parties that remain some of her family’s most cherished memories including tables filled with good food, laughter, Elvis Presley music and dancing that usually went late into the night.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, John S. Pyatt; her parents, Melvin and Zora Gardner; her sister Marie Albert (Ken, deceased); and her brother Gilbert Gardner (Gayle).

She is survived by her children, Amelia F. Buggle (Ollie) and John M. Pyatt (Shirley); her sisters Vivian Smith (Ivan, deceased), Betty Parker (Durham, deceased), and Alice Taylor (John); her grandchildren Kevin Buggle (Astis, deceased), Teresa Manucy (Ellis), Zachary Addair (Haley), Caleb Addair (Nichole), Shelby Howick (Jimmy), and Jack Pyatt; and her great-grandchildren Grace, Paul, Adam, Lynden, Fletcher, Amari, Scottie, Jadzia, and Tommy.

Evelyn lived a life marked by independence, devotion, humor, and deep love. Her legacy lives on in the family she nurtured, the stories she shared, and the countless lives she touched. She will be profoundly missed and forever cherished.

A memorial service to honor Evelyn’s life will be held at a future date. Service details will be announced once arrangements have been finalized.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to: The Developmental Learning Center, www.dlcjax.org or The National Association of Veterans and Families, www.navf.org