Evelyn Lavern Wrinkle Caylor Cross

Evelyn LaVern Wrinkle Caylor Cross of Cleveland. She was born in Cleveland, “Rabbit Valley”, TN on January 30, 1941, and passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 17, 2022. Evelyn was of Christian faith.

Evelyn attended Bradley Central High School but moved to Atlanta, Ga where she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1959. She married Raymond Blackburn Caylor in 1959, made their home in Cleveland, TN where they had 4 children. They were happily married for 25 years until Ray's passing in 1985. Also during this time Evelyn work at Coppinger Color Lab while attending college. She graduated from Cleveland State Community College with a Paralegal degree. She opened her own business, Caylor Paralegal Services with locations in Chattanooga, TN and Blue Ridge, Ga.

After 25+ years in the legal field with extensive background in commercial bankruptcy, litigation, real estate law, estate management and legal research, five years teaching bankruptcy law and professional ethics at Cleveland State Community College, seven years traveling all over lecturing, making training films and two television commercials, she retired. Evelyn was interested in family history but never really had enough time to work on it. Another, not so secret, desire of hers was to write books. So, in 1994, she began an amazing journey to put the “Wrinkle Family Puzzle” back together. She met so many lovely people as she traveled and researched while digging up roots. Evelyn has the accomplishment of three published books. Walking In History, Adventures of the George Wrinkle Family, Volume I Daniel. Walking In History, Adventures of the George Wrinkle Family Volume II, The Louisiana Three Plus One. Walking In History Adventures of the George Wrinkle Family, Volume III, The Knox County Tennessee Six with George Wrinkle, Sr.

Evelyn married Larry Cross from Moncure, NC in 1995. Evelyn loved to travel. Evelyn and Larry traveled the world and enjoyed every minute until Larry’s death in 2005. Returning to Cleveland in 2006, Evelyn spent the remaining years of her life with her family and friends. She spent countless hours on her research uncovering the Wrinkle heritage as well as the Caylor heritage and many others upon request while loving every minute of it.

She is survived by Daughters, Raylena Caylor Embry of Cleveland, Merrill Caylor (Dennis) Beaton of Madison, Alabama, and Laureen Caylor (Gary) Green of Apison, TN. Son, “Chip” Raymond Blackburn (Susan) Caylor Jr. of Cleveland. Sister, Jerita (Lee) Hunt of Lawrenceville, Georgia, Eleven Grandchildren, Grant Ramsey Embry (Ashley), Whitney Caylor Embry Sims (David), Jeremy Thomas Beaton, Jarrod Ray Beaton, Joseph Caylor Beaton, Charles Blackburn Caylor, William Storm Caylor (Madeline), Virginia Grace Caylor, Gary Eugene Green II (Abigail), Alexander Vance Green and Colin Hedrick Green. Four Great Grandchildren, Grayson Carl Embry, Lane William Embry, Brantley David Sims, Bryler Tate Sims and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Evelyn is preceded in death by her Father Lester Arnold Wrinkle, Jr., Late Husbands Raymond Blackburn Caylor Sr. and Lawrence Cross and her Honorary Brother, Philip L. Rentfro. All of Evelyn's grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends from 12pm until 2pm on Thursday, September 22nd at the Cleveland Chapel of Companion Funeral Home. A Remembrance of Life Ceremony will be held at 2pm at the Companion Chapel hosted by Laureen Green. Evelyn's burial with be immediately held at Fort Hill Cemetery following the Service.