Evelyn Louise Butrum Brightman, 71, of rural Chariton, died  of complications of cancer Sunday, May 7,  at Lucas County Health Center in Chariton.

Evelyn was born July 5, 1945, in Chariton to George William Butrum and Laura Hagg Butrum.

She grew up on the family farm in English Township, Lucas County, north of Chariton.

After graduating from Chariton High School in 1964, Evelyn attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Ia., graduating in 1968 with a degree in social work. She then attended the University of Iowa where she earned her master’s in social work.

Evelyn worked as a social worker at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines for many years, then went on to work for the Veteran’s Administration as a counselor.

Following her retirement from the VA, she was hired at the Lucas County Health Center as a psychotherapist in September of 1999 where she worked until her retirement in March.

In addition to her active professional life, Evelyn raised horses, was active in the community theaters in Indianola and Chariton, as well as the community band in Chariton, the Presbyterian Church in Chariton where she sang in the choir, a past board member of the Iowa Genealogical Society, a member of the Lucas County Genealogical Society, the Warren County Genealogy Society and the Lucas County Historical Society.

She was married to Jim Brightman and the couple, who lived in Des Moines and then south of Indianola, had two sons, along with the two daughters who Jim brought to the marriage.

Evelyn and the children later moved to the farm where Evelyn grew up, and where she lived until her death.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by sons Clint Brightman and Cody Brightman, both of Indianola; daughters, Johnna Brightman Feola of Riverside, Calif., and Julie Brightman Totty of Yuma, Ariz.; and two grandchildren, Chad Perez of Des Moines, and Oakley Church.

Memorials may be made to Race for the Cure and Chariton Valley Players.

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