Evelyn Deloros (Hightower) Brisker

Evelyn Deloros Brisker was born on August 20, 1926, to the union of Earthy and Celeste Hightower (deceased) in Fisher, Louisiana.  Evelyn was their second child.  She had an older brother, Joseph Howard Hightower.  They were raised in the small town of Many, La.  She attended the Sabine Parish School System and graduated from Many High School. She went on to attend Grambling University until her marriage to Cecil Brisker in January 1944.  To that union 3 children were born: Charles Leon (deceased), Kathryne Lucille (deceased) and Sandra Deloros.  After the birth of her children, she started working as a beautician in her own shop, next door to her father’s barber shop. 

Evelyn and her children followed Cecil to Cleveland, Ohio after he moved there to find better employment.  Cecil was employed at Ford Motor Company until his retirement after 25 years. They stayed with her father’s brother until they had enough money to move out on their own. After a short stay in a very small apartment in the Wade Park area, they bought a house on Whitethorn Avenue in 1957. This is where they raised their 3 children.”

Evelyn and Cecil took great pride in being homeowners.  Whitethorn was a well-groomed street and Cecil took care of the yard and did his own maintenance.  Evelyn managed the household, budgeting the money to make ends meet.  They loved to entertain. They sponsored “Rent Parties” to subsidize their mortgage.  They were famous for their backyard barbeques, fish fry’s and holiday feasts.  Her specialty was Caramel Cake and Chicken Spaghetti.  She would man the kitchen while Cecil excelled on the barbeque barrel and deep fryer.  She developed life-long friendships on Whitethorn Avenue.

Evelyn worked to help support the family.  She was employed as a Food Service Technician at Case Western.  She also worked part-time at Cleaning Materials after she left Case Western.  She was instrumental in forming the Whitethorn Street Club and the Friends club.  She loved to travel and did so with her different clubs.  She attended Fidelity Baptist Church and volunteered for their Food Bank.  She was a member of the Air Condition Club within the church.  They gave fund raisers to buy an air conditioning system for the church.  She also attended Fatima Community Center where she was active in the Silver Threads. She was honored by the Council of Aging as the Senior Citizen of the Year.  She loved to travel and helped organize field trips for her different clubs.  Later in life, she joined the Grandmother’s Club.  She continued being active even after she entered the nursing home 2018.  She belonged to their art class and attended bible study.  People who visited her saw some of her art on display in her room.  The others were given as gifts to her grandchildren.

She was very personable; no nonsense, trustworthy, stylish, thrifty and fun-loving..  Everyone loved Evelyn, which is evident in the life-long friends she made through her journey.  She has friends and even family members who think of her as a sister or mother-figure.  She suffered from arthritis and eventually it caused her to not be able to get around.  She experienced gastrointestinal problems later in life.  She continued to be her same regal self, even through adversity.  Her last days were spent comfortably and peacefully.

She leaves to mourn her devoted daughter Sandra Deloros. Grandchildren in order of birth: Darold, Marva (Peyton), Charles, Yalonde, Cecily, Raymond (Siedah).  Great grands: John, Reynisse, Tangela, MaryAnn, May’Lan, Kathryne Celeste, Whitney, Anaya, Nia, Malcolm.  Great Great-Grands: Corey, Cayla Rai, Milan.  Niece: Betty Tolliver.  Life-Long Cousins who’ve known her the longest: Nellie Rea Morse, Evelyn Bush and Daisy Lane. A special, devoted friend named Austin Horton.  Mr. Horton helped her for many years until he passed. Many special cousins and friends are too numerous to name.  They know who they are.

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