Bellview Susie Evans spent more than five decades in a career that changed daily. She attended college for nursing, and surgical operating rooms were the work space for the native Floridian, whose desire then – and still is today – is care for people.
Susie and her future husband, John, met in an operating room in Vero Beach, Fla., over a laser machine, as he was selling surgical equipment at that time. The two were married in 1983 in Murphy by Raymond Carroll.
The Evanses moved to Cherokee County in 1988. Since then, the couple – who are also best friends – have enjoyed spending time together and helping people whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Susie recalled fondly one of the biggest accomplishments in her nursing career.
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“I was the first certified registered nurse first assistant in western North Carolina,” she said “If the doctor dropped dead, I could close you up. I had a very wonderful surgery career.”
Susie also remembered one of the worst things she’s seen inside of the operating room, other than trauma-related emergencies.
“I’ve seen sepsis in the abdomen,” she said. “People who have diverticulitis and don’t get it treated, it can perforate and put waste everywhere.”
Susie offers this advice for people with loved ones in the hospital.
“You need to be the squeaky wheel because the squeaky wheel does get the grease. If you have somebody in the hospital you need to stay with them,” she said.
“Everybody in the hospital should have a patient advocate with them to ask questions and make sure everything’s being done right. Even if you’re not medical, take notes and know what’s going on.”
Susie retired from nursing in 2023, but once a nurse, always a nurse, and she often finds herself giving medical advice to loved ones. She also helps others in a variety of different ways.
A trip in 2006 proved life-changing when the Evanses took a medical missions trip to Ecuador.
“You don’t know what you have here until you go to a Third World country and see what they don’t have,” she said. “We took medicine and eyeglasses. They didn’t even have tinfoil.”
She and John were already involved in the Cherokee County Toys for Tots program when managers Ken and Marge Thaggard left. The Evans took over duties in 2008.
“It’s close to our hearts,” she said. John is a Marine, and Toys for Tots was founded nationally by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1947.
After a decade, they stepped aside, allowing Jeana Conley to assume the position. Susie continues to help as assistant coordinator.
“When a mother or father says, ‘Thank you, our kids wouldn’t have had Christmas without you,’ that’s just awesome. It makes you feel fulfilled,” she said.
“I’m sorry that 1,235 kids needed help this past Christmas. It’s sad.”
The couple remains active. John is a Mason with Cherokee Lodge 146, while Susie is active with Martins Creek Elementary School two days a week.
In addition, Susie sings at Mount Liberty Baptist Church and is a member of the Valley River Ringers, a group comprised of people making music with handheld bells. They perform Christmas and spring concerts at different venues. Susie has played the handbells in England and in many grand old churches in the West.
Most importantly, Susie said she loves the Lord.
“I’m a child of God and have a very strong Christian background. I’m definitely a believer, and I’m very proud of my upbringing,” she said.
“I’m proud my mom and dad were always there for me and took me to church. I grew up in a loving home.”
Susie and John have three grown children, four grandkids, a great grandchild and a dog named Daisy. Susie also enjoys reading and gardening, while John likes the outdoors. She loves daisies, and her favorite color is blue.
In the next 10 years, Susie said she still hopes to be serving God.