Evvalyn Alleen (Taylor) Harvey, Broken Arrow, Okla., passed away at her home on May 4, 2008, after losing her battle with cancer.

Evva, as she was known by her family and friends, was born to Orba and Wetona Eastburn Taylor on Jan. 21, 1943, in Newton County. She attended elementary school at Oshkosh, Mo., Modesto, Calif., and Fairview, and graduated from Wheaton High School. She moved to Kansas City, Mo., where she attended Kansas City Junior College and the IBM Institute. She was employed by the Hallmark Card Company for many years in Kansas City. She then moved to Oklahoma City, Okla., where she started her interior design business. Upon leaving Oklahoma City, she moved to Tulsa, Okla., and ultimately made Broken Arrow her permanent home in 1974.  She was instrumental in starting Sooner Bolt & Supply Company with her former husband.  She later worked for several years at Hobart Brothers Company.

She married Donald Harvey on June 30, 1983, in Las Vegas, Nev., and resided in Broken Arrow. Donald preceded her in death on May 13, 2007.

Evva enjoyed gardening and her yard. She had a large, beautiful, well-kept yard with many beautiful flowers and birds that she enjoyed, especially the hummingbirds. She enjoyed being with family and friends, crossword puzzles, board games, watching television, and occasional casino trips. She and Don visited several vacation spots and enjoyed her trips to the tropical islands, especially Maui. However, her most memorable trips were to England and France. She also enjoyed writing poetry and had several of her poems published.  She was a member of the Church of Christ having been baptized at an early age.  Evva was a sweet, generous and vibrant person and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.  

Survivors include her loving son, Jeff James and wife, Shian, and grandson Keaton, Broken Arrow; sister, Bettie Brust and husband, Gene, Hereford, Ariz.; a special niece, Debra Barnett and husband, Douglas, and son, Kevin, Broken Arrow; nephews, Richard Brust and Bill Brust, Hereford; a special grand-niece, Michelle Hollandsworth and husband, Michael, and children Austin, Drew and Emily, Coweta, Okla.; grand-nieces, Tracy Amarillas, Arlington, Va., and Ashley Johnston, Sierra Vista, Ariz.; grand-nephew Carlos Amarillas, Ithica, New York.

Also surviving is her step-daughter, Crystal (Harvey) Rutherford, Broken Arrow; two step-grandsons, Phillip and Garrett Morrow, Broken Arrow; and mother-in-law, Dorothy Harvey, Coffeyville, Kan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Harvey; parents, Orba and Wetona Taylor; brother, Jim Taylor; niece, Tamra (Brust) Johnston; and father-in-law, Dobie Harvey.

Funeral services will be held at Floral Haven Funeral Home, 6500 S. 129th E. Avenue, Broken Arrow, Okla., at 9 a.m. Thursday. Interment will be at 3 p.m. in the family plot at Rocky Comfort Cemetery, Rocky Comfort, beside her husband, parents and brother.

Arrangements are under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home, Broken Arrow, Okla.