Easley Quilt Dedication will take place, fittingly, in BC’s Easley Library at noon. Open and free to the community that Easley served so faithfully, the program will include a dedication service and remarks from Bluefield College administrators, including President David Olive.
“Eva was a dear friend to Bluefield College and the many people who make up the campus community,” said Dr. Olive. “She loved our students, and she gave her life in service not only to the college but to her church and community, as well.”
Before her death in August 2008, Easley had been a longtime member of Bluefield College’s Board of Trustees, carrying on a family tradition that began during the establishment of the school in 1922. As a trustee, she served on a variety of committees to further campus facility improvements, fundraising, and student development.
Outside of her Board activity, Easley’s love for BC and its students was most evident in her contributions to the areas of athletics, fine arts, scholarships, and missionary-in-residence program. As a result of her faithful service to the college, she was named an honorary alumna in 1988. She also received the school’s Mildred Sullivan Award for service to the community in 1995.
“It could easily be said that Bluefield College is a patchwork quilt — many pieces are sewn together, a beautiful tapestry, telling many stories,” said BC’s Josh Cline, director of alumni relations. “Eva Easley was one of those key pieces in the life of Bluefield College. Our hope is that this quilt will serve as a landmark for her service to the college, our students, and this community.”
A lifelong member of First Baptist Church in Bluefield, Easley served in many church leadership and ministry capacities. Beyond her church, she was a member of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, the Executive, and Education Committees of the Baptist General Association of Virginia, the Ad Hoc Blue Ribbon Committee for Seminaries of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Development Committee of Southeastern Baptist Seminary, and the Board of Directors for Hargrave Military Academy.
In keeping with the Easley tradition of serving on the Bluefield College Board of Trustees, Easley’s husband, F. Tyler Easley is a BC trustee emeritus. Their daughter, Rebecca Easley Beckett, also sits on the Board.
The Eva Easley Quilt Dedication will conclude with a reception. The event is just one of many activities in Bluefield College’s yearlong “Celebration of Appalachia” symposium, featuring lectures, concerts, exhibits, discussions, movies, theatre, tours and other educational and entertaining events designed to honor the Appalachian heritage. Remaining events include:
- “Mountain Jack,” a rollicking presentation of mountain folk tales and rousing mountain music, presented by BC Theatre, Thursday through Saturday, April 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m., Harman Chapel
- “Spring Instrumental Music Concert,” featuring Appalachian music by BC’s Concert Band, Community Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble, Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m., Harman Chapel.