Spartanburg, SC – Mrs. Evelyn Ruth Haywood Gist, 75, peacefully entered eternal rest on August 12, 2017 after a long illness. A native of Spartanburg County, she was born on January 31, 1942 to the late Mr. Van Haywood and the late Mrs. Mattie McAbee Haywood. Mrs. Gist was the beloved wife to Mr. Joe C. Gist. Evelyn was a member of Greater Hopewell Baptist Church.

In 1959, she graduated from Lincoln High School. Mrs. Haywood was employed with Raycord. Evelyn was a professional caregiver for the Woodward family and was a day care worker in Charlotte, NC. She was preceded in death by: her son, Ronnie Pearson; her sisters, Leola Young and Myrtle Smith; her brothers, Van Haywood and Tim Haywood. Left to cherish fond and loving memories are: her dedicated loving husband of twenty-six years, Joe C. Gist of the home; her loving daughters, Sandra Anderson of Spartanburg, SC, Barbara Pearson of Duncan, SC, Sharon Wilkins of Spartanburg, SC, Judy Grigsby of Aiken, SC and Evelyn Pearson of Wellford, SC; her step-daughters, Felicia (Charles) Mack of Fairmont, SC and Anita Gist of Wellford, SC; her sisters, Mable Burgess of Spartanburg, SC and Barbara Maxton of Spartanburg, SC; her “adopted” sisters, Mildred Sturdivant and Sandra Crowder both of Charlotte, NC; her mother-in-law, Ella Mae Gist; her daughter-in-law, Lisa Pearson of Inman, SC; ten sisters-in-law; six brothers-in-law; eighteen grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins , other relatives and friends. A Celebration of the Life of the Life of Evelyn Ruth Haywood Gist will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Greater Hopewell Baptist Church, 215 Hickory Drive, Startex, South Carolina. Reverend Thomas Yeargin will officiate.

Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 815 East Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greer, SC.

The family will receive friends at the home, 715 Bankston Drive, Boiling Springs, SC.