Obituary of Evelyn Zappa

Of Flint, age 86, died Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at Maplewoods Manor in Clio. The funeral service will take place Friday, March 19, 2010 at 11:00am at the Miles Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Morris. Pastor David Burkett will officiate with burial to follow in Flint Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday, from 4:00pm-8:00 pm and on Friday from 9:00am until time of service at 11:00am. Memorial donations may be considered to Maple Woods Manor Resident Fund or Krapohl Center. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Evelyn was born May 24, 1923 in Flint, Michigan the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ruben and Helen (Dinnan) Hipkins. She graduated from Flint Northern High School, Class of 1942. She met the love of her life, Bennie Zappa, and they were united in marriage October 23, 1943 in Sharon, Pennsylvania. She and Bennie resided in the Beecher District, their entire married life, and she was a survivor of the 1953 Beecher Tornado. Evelyn demonstrated extreme courage during the tornado, protecting her two young daughters, and unborn child, during the killer storm. She never forgot the help her family received to rebuild after they lost their home and possessions in the tornado, especially from the Salvation Army and Red Cross. She had a generous heart and cared for the less fortunate in her Beecher Community. She frequently donated to help those in need. Evelyn also volunteered as a fund raiser for many years, for several organizations. Evelyn worked at AC Spark Plug for 12 years. Evelyn was involved with the PTA, school board of elections, as well as helping Bennie with the fire department. She was an elder of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of the Chippewa Indians. She was a talented cake decorator, specializing in wedding cakes. Evelyn leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 66 years, Bennie Michael Zappa; she was a devoted mother to her four children, Judy and husband Jerry Anderson, Bonnie Bruff, Jackie Zappa- Bradley and husband, Barry Bradley, and Danny Zappa; She was known as grandma Evie to her six grandchildren, Stacy, (Mike), Jerry, (Sandi), Scott (Gina),Brandy, (Rod), Michael, (Alicia), and Markie; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Katie, Zac, Ryleigh, and Jack; brother, Ray and wife Lena Hipkins. She was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers, Rich, Bob, Elmer, Harold, and Walt, and two special sons-in-law David Samples and Jerry Bruff I. Bennie and his family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the wonderful staff at Maple Woods Manor. They will be forever grateful for the kind, dignified, loving and compassionate care Evelyn received while she was a resident.