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| ‘Soldier of Christ – Well Done!’ PROMOTED TO GLORY |
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Mrs. Lt. Colonel Evade Fitton (R) was recently promoted to Glory from the Palm Garden residence in Sun City Center, Fla. She was 94 years old.
Evade Campbell was born in New York City in 1902 to Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Charles Campbell. She entered the New York Training College and was commissioned in June 1922. She served as a single officer until her marriage to Lt. Richard Fitton in Buffalo, N.Y., with whom she served in corps appointments in Batavia and Jamestown, N.Y.
Their appointment to Charlotte, N.C., in 1926 as divisional youth leaders was the first of many administrative assignments. Their interest in and love for the youth of the Army was portrayed as they served as territorial youth secretary and principal of the Southern Territory Training College.
Following an appointment in London, England, where Lt. Colonel Fitton served as under secretary for the Americas and Caribbean Zone, they transferred to the Western Territory, first as principal of the Training College and later as commanders of the Intermountain and Northwest Divisions.
The Fittons retired from active service in 1966, and Fitton was promoted to Glory in 1983.
A memorial service was held in Decatur, Ga. Commissioner Willard S. Evans (R) presided, with other members of the family participating. The graveside service was at the Westview Cemetery, Atlanta.
Mrs. Fitton is survived by three children: Mrs. Commissioner Marie Evans (R); Major Richard C. Fitton (R), and Mrs. Commissioner Marjorie Hodder (R). Among her eight grandchildren are Captains Kenneth G. Hodder and Katherine Reed.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Commissioner and Mrs. Willard Evans (R), 2170 Americus Blvd., Apt. 6, Clearwater FL 33763-2853; Commissioner and Mrs. Kenneth Hodder (R), 2234 New Bedford Drive, Sun City FL 33573; or Major and Mrs. Richard Fitton (R), 142 Two Mile Hitch Road, Goose Creek SC 29445-5732.
Major Ben McBride (R) was promoted to Glory recently from his home in Sierra Vista, Ariz. He was 94 years old.
As a young man of 18, he lost his left leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident. He thought, if he lived he wanted to give his life for service to others. Ben entered the Training College, was commissioned in 1927 and appointed to Baton Rouge, La. He and Grace McCulley were married in 1937 after she completed training for officership.
The McBrides have the distinction of having two sets of twins born in two years. The first set, Ben Jr. and Dawn, were born in Alabama, and later Noel and Joel were born in Mississippi.
They served most of their career in the Southern Territory, moving to Douglas, Ariz. in 1952. In 1961 they entered retirement.
His comment on reaching the age of 90 was, “I feel like I have been climbing a mountain and nearing the top. I notice the farther up, the greater the vision. I feel grateful to God for his love and mercy allowing me to live these many years.” He will be greatly missed by his children, several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church, Sierra Vista, Ariz., with Lieutenant Fred Wong officiating.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to his children in care of Dawn Quiros, 5385 Strasbourg Ave., Irvine CA 92714.
