This biography was published in 2001 and written by Terry, one of Evelyn Ryan’s daughters. Evelyn and husband Kelly had ten children, six sons and four daughters. Her abusive husband was an alcoholic who often drank away a third of his weekly take-home pay. To supplement the family’s income often providing basic necessities, Evelyn entered contests during the “contest era” of the 1950’s and 1960’s. She was at times successful with her jingles even winning enough for a down payment on a house at one point. Over the years she won a Triumph TR3 sports car, a jukebox, a trip to New York, an appearance on the Merv Griffin show, a Ford Mustang, a trip to Switzerland, and her weight in gold. Mostly she won lesser amounts of cash just when it was most needed.
Evelyn found fun in whatever life sent her way. Her family was her focus. She was a firm believer that miracles were an everyday occurrence. In short, this is an uplifting tale filled with hope that Evelyn was able to pass on to her children.
~Emma
Read it or Weep 