Evva Foltz Hanes

Evva Foltz Hanes was born on November 7, 1932.  She was the 7th of seven children born to Alva Foltz and Bertha Crouch Foltz.  She died peacefully at home, on June 22, 2023, surrounded by 4 generations of her loving family.

She was a red-headed, freckled face, shy and observant child, always watching and learning.  She loved reading and as a mother, shared that love with her children and grandchildren.  She believed that one of the best gifts you can give a child is the joy of reading.

She was an athlete.  A STAR basketball player at Arcadia School in Davidson County, NC.  After graduating high school, she was “recruited” to play basketball and work for Hanes Hosiery.  She always did her best at any job and on “piece work” she eventually earned more than her supervisor.

The value of hard work was also a gift she instilled in her children.

She had simple dreams.  One of those dreams was to marry her childhood sweetheart, Travis Flay Hanes.  They met in the 8th grade, and it was a true and lasting love.  They were partners in life AND in business.  Together, they began Mrs. Hanes’ Handmade Moravian Cookies.  This was not an easy task for a woman in the 1950’s.  In the beginning, Evva helped her mother make these special cookies in a wood stove.  Later, she made them in an upstairs kitchen at her house.  Then, (because everyone got tired of smelling like a cookie), a downstairs kitchen was added. Then the den downstairs became a kitchen.  (All of this was federally, and state inspected.)  The entire family was involved in the cookie-making business.  We (the children) mixed up the dough (by hand), helped “man” the ovens, and packed the cookies into red tins for shipping.  (Exactly the way we continue to pack them today.)

Finally, in 1969, a building was constructed on the family farm, on a section where her daddy’s old cow pasture used to be.  Since its original construction, the building has been expanded 7 times to accommodate the increase in business.

It is a company that is now nationally known.  Her bakery has been written about in numerous magazines and newspapers and has thousands of loyal local and mail-order customers.  A decision was made many years ago to maintain the integrity of her Moravian heritage and continue to make her special cookies by hand.  This is a crazy way to run a business in today’s machine-oriented world, but changing the method of manufacturing, (and we did try) would change the recipe and alter the taste too much.  So, while other companies opted to go the machine route, this lady decided to stay true to her roots and continue her handmade method.

Our mom knew she didn’t want to be the biggest Moravian Cookie Company, (making the most money), she just wanted to be the best.  And that is the legacy she passed down to her children, and grandchildren who have continued the business.

She has written 2 cookbooks and recently, at the age of 90, completed a book about her life.  A book called; “What more could I ask for?”

She was a 7th-generation Moravian and truly loved her church and God.  She was very active at Friedberg Moravian Church and served on numerous Boards.  If something needed organizing, she was the one to ask.  She could always see the fastest, and smartest way to accomplish any goal.

To sum it up, our mom was brilliant.  A woman who succeeded because she worked so very hard to make her dreams come true.

As I said earlier, her dreams were simple.

She wanted to marry our dad and live in a nice brick house.

They were married for 71 years and lived happily in that brick house.  The eventually redid the home place she was born in and made that a gathering place for her weekly dinners.  She has a special dinner table commissioned that could comfortably accommodate 23 people.  Around that table, much laughter was heard, stories were shared, and wonderful memories were made.

We were so very blessed to have her in our life.  She showed us how to love and be a family.  Sure, like any family, we have our disagreements (especially when you combine this with being a family business.)

But, bottom line, we really do love each other and enjoy each other’s company.  I’d say,  that was the best gift of all.

Surviving is her husband of 71 years, Travis Flay Hanes, and 4 children, Ramona Hanes Templin (Scott), Michael Hanes, Jonathan Hanes (Sheila), & Caroline Hanes Fordham (Norian).  Grandchildren, Jedidiah Hanes Templin (Lori), and Madison Hanes Boland (Jim).  Grandchildren, Isabella and Fiona Hanes, and Evva Kate, Lucy, and Norian Fordham.  Great grandchildren, (our future Cookie Tasters) Hanes and Georgia Boland, and Adelaide Templin.

A “Going home” celebration will be held Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 3:00 pm at Friedberg Moravian Church.  Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:45 pm in the Family Life Center.  There will be no funeral home visitation as our mom donated her body to research in hopes her struggle with breast and brain cancer will one day help lead to a cure.

We would like to thank her wonderful Doctors, Katherine Callahan, and Heidi Klepin for their loving care.  Deep gratitude is felt to her caregivers from Hariston Homecare, and to the kind people at Trellis Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please give memorials to Friedberg Moravian Church at 2178 Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or share a meal with your family, forgive (and forget) old grievances (should you have one) and tell them they are loved.

Dearest mommy,  Evva Carolina Foltz Hanes, you will live in our hearts forever.

The staff at Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net