Summer 2012

In Memoriam...

Evelyn Wagner Ayers Murray

On Wednesday, March 14, 2012, Evelyn died peacefully in her home in North Bethesda, Maryland. Evelyn was born in Washington, DC, at Garfield Hospital on November 24, 1920, and she attended Central High School. She was a life-long resident of the Washington, DC, area. She is survived by her loving and supportive husband for twenty-five years, Thomas Murray, her children, Jack S. Wagner, Jr., of Sarasota, Florida, and Charles “Chuck” Wagner (Sheila) of Washington, DC. She also leaves behind six grandchildren, Alison Wagner, Jon Wagner, Lisa Wagner Hill, Rachel Wagner, Wendy Summer, Kris Pratt, and four great-grandchildren. Evelyn was married to the late Jack S. Wagner, Sr., for thirty-four years. She was active in the family business, Wagner Roofing Company, while Jack Sr. was serving in the US Army in Italy during World War II. She was also married to the late Richard Ayers of Washington, DC, for fourteen years. Evelyn spent many happy years on the western shore of Maryland at Fairhaven during the summers. She loved boating, crabbing and having fun with friends and family. Volunteering at the White House under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush was something of which Evelyn was very proud. Evelyn was an instrumental member of and the only woman on the committee to fund and build the Camp David Evergreen Chapel, dedicated on April 21, 1991. She was a member of the Capitol Speakers Club, Congressional Country Club, City Tavern Club, a Dame of Malta and a member of the Women’s Board American Heart Association. Evelyn enjoyed being on the Board of the National Debutante Cotillion, especially when her granddaughters made their debuts.