Evelyn Baptista, age 97 went to her
Lord on Saturday March 14 2026.
Her daughter Barbara was with her at the JCF Ewing Wing in Mariposa. Evelyn was in the caring hands of loving EW staff and the team from Compassionate
Care Hospice.
She was born at home, on Nov. 19,
1928 to John Cabral and Mary Azevedo Cabral in Easton, (Fresno area), Calif/
She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary, her husband, Bill, and her sister, Lenora.
Evelyn, being the first born to a farming family, was destined for hard work. She milked cows by hand, cut and stacked hay by hand, picked cotton by hand and helped wherever else she was needed. Evelyn learned how to sew from her mother, on an old trundle sewing machine, and at 10 years old she began making her own clothes.
Evelyn attended Pomona Elementary School and graduated from Washington Union High School in 1946.
In addition to working on the farm, Evelyn worked at the Dotty Dean Dress Shop in downtown Fresno on the Fulton Mall. She also worked for GE, a few small companies in between and ended her career at almost 70, working for an insurance company.
Evelyn’s sewing skills enabled her to make her own wedding dress in 1956 when she married William “Bill” Michael Baptista. Evelyn met Bill when his family’s cows got loose nearby and her father told her to “go and help catch the cows!”
At 17 years old, Bill went into the U.S. Navy and Evelyn waited nine years for his return. Evelyn and Bill adopted two children, William Michael “Mike/Billy” Baptista Jr. and Barbara Baptista. Mike and Rose had two daughters, Corie and Samantha.
Evelyn was involved in and sewed many dresses and costumes for various fiestas and organizations in Easton and Fresno County, including the following Portuguese Clubs: St. Anthony, CPDES, St. Peter, Our Lady of Fatima and Cabrillo Civic Club # 10.
Evelyn spent the first 55 years of her life in Easton, the next 32 years in Fresno and her last 10 years in Mariposa
Evelyn had a very close relationship with her daughter Barbara, as they lived together 30 years, after her husband Bill went to Heaven. They did many things together, from going on Princess cruises to landscaping the backyard.
Evelyn was always willing and able to help with any project Barbara came up with. Praise God she was never hurt, but one time she got one heck of a rash from poison oak!
Visitation will be held at Jay Chapel (1121 Roberts Ave., Madera) on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from noon to 4 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Peter’s Cemetery (264 N Blythe Ave., Fresno) on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 10 a.m.
Thank you to the staff at the Ewing Wing and the hospice team from Compassionate Care.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Joesph’s Catholic Church in Mariposa, or your favorite charity.
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