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Eva M. Walding, 78, of Madison, Alabama, lost her long battle with Parkinson’s Disease on August 14, 2024. Eva is survived by three sisters, Bobbie McVay, Sue Thorn, and Betty Bullard, niece Heather Sconyers, nephews Michael McVay, Brian McVay, and Devin Bullard, and many cousins and friends. Eva was preceded in death by her sister Rebecca Walding and parents Robert R. Walding and Della Mae Smith Walding.

Eva was a very loving, gentle and loyal person who loved to laugh and dance but always put her family first. Throughout her life she was there for her mother and sisters emotionally, physically, and financially. She was also dedicated to her career.

Eva, born August 6, 1946, grew up wanting to attend college but was unable to do so after she graduated from Opp High School in 1964. She never lost her desire to further her education and nine years after her high school graduation, in 1973, Eva entered the University of Alabama summer session as a freshman. She graduated in 1976 and immediately entered the University of Alabama School of Law. She took her JD in 1979 and a few months later passed the Alabama Bar Exam.

She spent the majority of her career working for the US government first in the Bankruptcy Court in Montgomery, Alabama, and then in Opelousas, Louisiana. She moved to Oxford, Mississippi, in order to work for the FDIC, which moved her to Washington, D.C. From there she moved to Chicago, Illinois, and again worked for the Bankruptcy Court. During this time she was interviewed multiple times for judgeships. She decided to come back to Alabama and hung out her shingle for a time before going to work for the law firm Paden & Paden in Bessemer, Alabama. She then joined the prestigious Birmingham firm of Sirote & Permutt, PC. Finally, she worked for the Birmingham Office of Social Security Hearings and Appeals. While there, her health declined and she was granted a disability retirement.

Eva was an avid reader from an early age and remained so all her life. Her mother would take Eva and her sisters to the Public Library once a week. The book check out limit was two books. Eva’s older sister, Bobbie, usually would only check out one book so Eva would beg her to check one out for her too. After this went on for a while, the librarian had noted that Eva took very good care of the books and always returned them on time. On one visit the librarian whispered to Eva, “You can check out as many books as you want,” making one little girl very happy. Her favorite author was Ken Follett and her favorite book was Follett’s Pillars of the Earth.

Eva had many other passions too. She was a big Elvis Presley fan and saw him in concert five times. And yes, she got a scarf! Eva was also a fan of country singer Carl Smith. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2003 during the CMA Awards and although tickets were not available to the public, Eva was there to congratulate him and give him a hug. Friends had networked and got her a ticket. While she wasn’t a big football fan, she did love the Crimson Tide and watched their games on TV,  jumping up and down when they scored and singing the fight song.

Eva’s adventurous side led her to try whitewater rafting, community theater, swimming with dolphins, and feeding nectar to the birds causing them to land all over her. She also tried parasailing and exploring the cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde.

Eva enjoyed square dancing with all her heart and soul and traveled around the country to Square Dance weekends. When her young niece said she wanted to square dance, Eva got to share her passion by organizing and teaching a children’s class. After their graduation, Eva went with them to adult club dances. She did so well the Alabama Square and Round Dance Association presented her with an Honorary Square Dance Caller certificate.

Eva’s love of family especially showed up at Christmas. She always wanted to be the person who passed out the gifts. She called it “playing Santa” and there are many photos throughout the years of her wearing her Santa hat and handing out presents.  This is how we will most remember her, sharing joy with her family and giving of herself to everyone she met. We miss you Eva!

Eva’s memorial service will be on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at Wyatt Funeral Home in Opp, Alabama. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. with the service to follow at 2 p.m. Private burial will take place in Peaceful Acres Memorial Gardens in Opp.