Evelyn Sue Zorko

Evelyn Sue (Groves) Zorko, 91, of New Braunfels, Texas, born July 10, 1920 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, finally found rest on April 2, 2012 a week after diagnosed with colon cancer.

A 1940 graduate of Jonesboro High School, she excelled in sports and was recruited by the All American Red Heads the women's professional basketball team that played by men's rules and beat men about 80% of the time.

She was married 47 years to Matthew E. Zorko of Chicago, Ill., who she met in Jonesboro while he was playing baseball and she operated the concession stand at the Community Center. They were married in the Study of the Chaplain of St. Bernard’s Hospital August 20, 1942. Evelyn stayed in Jonesboro while her husband was deployed overseas, and was employed as an assistant clerk in the office of Draft Board A. She was always grateful to former Jonesboro Mayor, Herbert J. Bosler, who was her guardian and mentor.

After her husband’s return from WWII, they settled in Batavia, New York where she worked as a Telephone Operator for the New York Telephone Company, for 30 years. In 1982, she and her husband retired to Jonesboro and her devotion for the St. Bernard’s Auxiliary began as a Volunteer with the “Pink Ladies”. She served as the 16th President in 1983-94 and held the Corresponding Secretary office for 20 years. She had a total of over 10,000 hours she donated to the Auxiliary. She was also a Life Member of the Verizon Telephone Pioneers and a faithful supporter of Pioneering.

She loved to shop, dine out, travel; making 4 trips to Moscow, Russia to visit her daughter and son-in-law or a Saturday afternoon spent in Tunica where she enjoyed the bus trip almost as much as winning. She was an avid reader and was up to date on community, national and international news. She valued her friendships and was so proud to be the friend of so many caring and compassionate people, all over the world. She never forgot to celebrate, congratulate or commemorate a friend or family’s special occasion.

Surviving is her only child, Pam, and son-in-law Max Hosford. She was invited to live with them after their return from Russia in 2009 and worked hard at becoming a Texan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Melba Groves of Thousand Palms, California and beloved nieces in California, Florida and Indiana, as well as their families. And, her 2 Russian Labrador “grand dogs” ~ Texas & Rose.

She was predeceased by parents Belle Thomas and Robert Groves, brother Robert Groves, half sisters Doris Bowers and Nellie Patton, half brothers William Bowers, Noel Bowers, and Benny Oswald.

She is a former member of Blessed Sacrament Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas and attended St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Canyon Lake, Texas.

Arrangements are being completed by Emerson Funeral Home, Jonesboro, Arkansas with Visitation on Thursday, April 5th from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Services will be held in the Emerson Memorial Chapel, Friday, April 6th at 10:00 am with Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.