Evelyn W. Lea; 77; of Monessen; formerly of Clairton; departed this life suddenly on Tuesday; Sept. 27; 2011. She was a longtime resident of the Mon Valley for 53 years; she worked and retired from Corning Glass Works; formerly located in Charleroi. During post retirement; Evelyn achieved an Associate’s Degree in Business at the Douglas School of Business. More recently; she was employed by the Monessen School District as a teaching assistant at the Monessen Elementary Center. As an avid and devoted member of the Union Baptist Church in Monessen; she served as the financial secretary; a member of the senior choir; the secretary of the missionary board; and she also assisted with the operations associated with the clothing missionary. She is better known by her church family and community for her nut rolls and sweet potato pies; which she donated regularly in support of the building fund and craft classes. Evelyn enjoyed 37 years of matrimony with her beloved husband; Edward F. Lea Sr.; who preceded her in death in 1993. Born on Feb. 1; 1934; in Clairton; she was the 12th of 14 children of the late Thomas and Carrie Collins. Always a devoted sister and friend to each; she will be reunited in Heaven with her sisters; Myrtle Davis; Faye Sterling; Ethel Hall; Mattie Ballard and Ellen Martin; and her brothers; Thomas; Charles; Earl; Wendell and Kenneth Collins. She leaves to cherish her memory; her sisters; Millicent Adams; of Clairton; Thomasene Goodwin; of Bronx; N.Y. and Joan Green; of Finleyville. Evelyn will be deeply missed and most remembered by her four children; Dr. Michele Lea-Stokes; of Los Angeles; Leslie Faye Lea; of Dallas; Terry Y. Lea; Esquire; of Washington; D.C.; and Edward F. Lea Jr.; of Monessen. She leaves to celebrate her life; nine grandchildren (to whom she played an active and fruitful role in each of their lives) Timothy L. Stokes Jr.; Cari Lea Ezennia; Edward F. Lea III; Darien C. Stokes; Cameron D. Stokes; Shannon M. Stokes; Blair Lea; Amara Lea-Ahaghotu and Evan I. Lea; several nieces and nephews; to whom she held a special bond; a godchild; Kami Lea Lomax; of Ft. Lauderdale; Fla.; and a host of faithful friends. Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday; Sept. 30; and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday; Oct. 1; until the hour of service at Union Baptist Church; 670 McMahon Ave.; Monessen; with Pastor Verton L. Dean officiating. Interment will take place at Belle Vernon Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the BEVERLY C. DRAPER FUNERAL HOME INC;; 608 Sixth St.; Monessen; (724) 684-6242.