It may be a big city, but when you're essentially trapped in the city limits by your own government, every day it seems to shrink by an inch. The problem was that if I started making my mother handmade Mother's Day cards now, next year at this time expectations would be astronomical, and next year I planned on being out of Miami permanently. 'Maybe to show your mother you appreciate her carrying your vile existence for nine months.'

'Fi,' I said, 'I don't even want to buy a card. 'Have you thought about composing your own card?'

On the inside it said: It could have been worse. This one had a photo of a line of identical puppies trailing behind their mother. 'I think it would speak to your mother.' She handed me another card. My ex-girlfriend/former IRA operative/current business associate/confusing-person-of-romantic-interest Fiona Glenanne handed me a card. And yet there I was, in the middle of Target in midtown Miami, staring at row after row of greeting cards, trying to find one that might justifiably say that very thing. When you're no longer a spy, however, you learn pretty quickly that there's no card that says, Sorry I missed the last dozen Mother's Days. Friday's surrounded by men in Dockers or expressing your emotions through the mystery of Hallmark. Being a spy means never being forced to eat potato skins in a T.G.I. If birthdays, weddings and holidays meant a lot to you, you wouldn't be traveling the world under diplomatic cloak you'd be sitting in a cubicle, rigging the Secret Santa lottery, drafting memos about the need for casual Fridays, and fantasizing about the person who services the photocopier. You tend to miss physical events like birthdays and baptisms and Bar Mitzvahs, because it's nearly impossible to tell a Taliban assassin you'll have to halt his inquisition until Monday so you can make it to T.G.I. You don't even bother to send belated wishes via e-mail. You don't send belated wedding, anniversary, graduation or congratulations cards. Left to cherish fond memories are: Evelene Bilic (Billy) of Rochelle, NY, Robert Oxendine (Barbara) of Lumberton, Sanford Oxendine (Mary) of Fairmont, Samuel Oxendine of Pembroke, Cecil Oxendine (Deceased), Bernice Locklear (James) of Fairmont, Flora Oxendine of Rowland, and Esther Oxendine (Deceased) 23 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and other special friends.When you're a spy, the word belated gets eradicated from your vocabulary. A woman of integrity with a pure heart who held strong to her hope and trust which was in Christ Jesus. She loved the Lord and did her best to strive to please Him in all she pursued. Many of them recall one of her favorite morning messages, “you can have one bowl of sweet cereal, and if y’all want some more after that, you gone get some cornflakes!” Evelyn also had an authoritative side that let them all know she meant business with sayings such as “keep on buddy, Ima burn your butt into a new one!” and, “Ima knock the tar outta you!” Family and friends would often get laughing tears out of her phrases, but they also held high levels of respect for her in the same manner. One of Evelyns’ major roles she loved to play was that of “grandma/granny.” She extended her arms, home, food and yard to every single one of her grandchildren/great-grandchildren with the addition of all she knew and loved.

To this union, four sons and three daughters were born: Mattie Lacey (William) of Lumberton, Allen Chavis (Roberta) of Fairmont, Larry Chavis (Mary) of Lumberton, John Chavis (Stephanie) of Rowland, Sabrina Chavis (Woodrow) of Hoffman, NC, Teresa Ingram (Ronald) of Rockingham and Lee Chavis (deceased). She was united in marriage to Bobby Chavis. Everyone looked forward to her meals, and they would get a little upset when she “skipped” class because they had to settle with average lunch in the absence of the “class chief”. Additionally, Evelyn was the “cook” for her class. Making home décor, jewelry, and key chains just to name a few. She enjoyed spending the early part of her days at school doing arts and crafts projects. Her teacher, Sabrina Locklear who was also a very special friend along with her classmates all called Evelyn “Granny”. She quietly entered into eternal rest on Friday, Augat home in Lumberton, NC.Įvelyn was a student of the Positive Program Service in Red Springs, NC. Evelyn Chavis was born on Decemin Robeson County to the late John D.

Evelyn burn notice