Evelyn McSwain Shinn died peacefully in her sleep Sunday evening, July 26, 2009, at Magnolias of Gaffney, her home for the past four years. She was 93 years old, and after several years of declining health was ready to move on. As she had told friends and family on several occasions, "I know a lot more people over there than I do over here." Among those she was eager to see "over there" was her beloved husband, Hal.

Mrs. Shinn was born Sarah Evelyn McSwain on June 27, 1916, in Forsythe County, N.C., daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. James Ezell McSwain. Her father served in the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Church, and as a girl she lived in Methodist parsonages in several North Carolina towns, including East Spencer, Concord, Maiden and Weddington.

In 1935, after two years at Catawba College, she married Hal Jerome Shinn of Concord. Two years later they moved to Gaffney, where Hal was manager of the Cherokee Theater and later established the Star Amusement Company with a partner, Thomas P. Turner. They loved Gaffney and it was home for the rest of their lives.

Mrs. Shinn was a creative homemaker and hostess, a fine cook, and a devoted and unfailingly supportive daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her compassion was a source of comfort for friends and family, and her subtle sense of humor brought laughter and joy to everyone who knew her.

For more than 70 years she was a faithful member of Buford Street United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for many years.

Early in their marriage she and Hal enjoyed visits to family in Concord and Greensboro and weekends at Lake Lure with Tom and Lily Turner. Later there were sunny vacations with children and grandchildren at Myrtle Beach, Jekyl Island, Ga., and other resort destinations. She accompanied her husband on a number of memorable trips when he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Music Operators of America.

After Hal was crippled by a stroke in 1977 she became his caregiver and constant support, and her undiminished spirit, faith and determination sustained the quality of their lives together for 20 difficult but rewarding years. Hal died in 1998.

She was preceded in death also by an infant son, Albert Marvin Shinn II; her sisters, Nellie Matlock Burrum and Hazel Woolfolk; and a brother, Dorus McSwain.

Mrs. Shinn is survived by her son, Hal Jerome Shinn Jr. (Jerry) and his wife, Anne, of Beech Mountain, N.C.; daughter, Margaret Shinn Osborne and her husband, Billy, of Gaffney; granddaughter, Sarah Leslie Shinn and grandson, Hal Jerome Shinn III, both of Charlotte; granddaughter, Amy Osborne Crotzer of Gaffney; four greatgranddaughters and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 29, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Buford Street United Methodist Church. Services will immediately follow at 3:30 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Joseph James officiating. Interment will be in the Oakland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Buford Street United Methodist Church Family Life Center, 120 E. Buford Street, Gaffney, SC 29340; or to Interim Hospice, 775 Spartan Blvd., Spartanburg, SC 29301.

The family will be at the home of Margaret and Billy Osborne, 110 York Drive.

An online guest register is available at www .blakelyfuneralhome.com .