Evelyn Kellough was the first-born child of Ruth Bell and Lee Author Kellough. She was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. At a very early age her mother, Ruth Kellough decided that she wanted Evelyn to play the piano. Although she was not a musician, she wanted her daughter to play the piano and she wanted her to play for the church. Evelyn being a discipline child did not want to play the piano, but she wanted to please her mother, so without a piano in the house Evelyn started to take piano lessons. She exceled at the piano, and soon found not only could she do well in the technical side of music, but she also had a real ear for the sounds. This was a prayer answered for her mother, so before the age of twelve she was playing in the St. John Church music ministry as a trainee. A local minister, Reverend Roger Bell needed a pianist so at the age of thirteen Evelyn was playing for the St Mary's Baptist Church in Mathis, Texas.

Evelyn's family has always been involved and served as leaders in the church, especially her grandparents James and Elviolet Robinson, who she was very close to.  She lived with her grandparents during her early childhood. At the age of ten, Evelyn joined St. John Baptist Church and decided to follow Christ and He has directed her life since.

In 1964, Evelyn married George Dunson, to this union twin boys were born in 1969, John George Dunson and Sean Alvin Dunson. They made their home in Corpus Christi, Texas. During this time Evelyn worked many jobs, Army Parts Distribution, Community Action Program, Department store sales, Corpus Christi Public Library, and the Corpus Christi School District. In 1975 she started her career with IBM as a parts administrator. Evelyn's career moves started in Detroit, Michigan as a Communication Specialist.

Within three years she received two promotional moves. Evelyn was then promoted to Houston, Texas as a Senior Administrator, and then to Dallas, Texas as an Administration Manager. It was during this time that a scripture in the Bible came to her. Exodus 20:12, Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord Thy GOD giveth thee. Evelyn's mother had become very ill in 1991 and there was not any family in Corpus Christi to take care of her so Evelyn was trying to look after her mother from Dallas, Texas.  She was driving from Dallas every weekend and on most of her other days off.  In early 1992 she found a way to take care of her mother and go after her dream. She was offered early retirement from IBM, this was her chance to move back to Corpus Christi to take care of her mother and pursue her dream of having her own business. After her mother had regained her health, it was time to make her move.

Another BIBLE scripture became prominent in her life.  Proverbs I8:24—A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. In 1992, Evelyn moved back to Corpus Christi and became Minister of Music at St. John Baptist Church, the church she was brought up in as a child. She regained old friends and made new ones, including mayor Mary Rhodes. Evelyn went to work for the mayor to learn how the city worked especially concerning business. This was a real learning experience watching the politics of running a city.

In 1995 the dream was finally realized, her own business. In October of 1995, Evelyn with the help of friends and family opened "Lotts of Art'' in the Sunrise mall. She sold print art, Black collectables, books, cards, and housewares. Not only was Lotts of Art a visible black business, but it was a meeting and information place for visitors to the city. Evelyn also had many social and cultural functions at her business, Lotts of Art had many fashion shows in the center court of the mall, a first for an African American business in Corpus Christi.  She held receptions for the Mississippi Mass Choir, book signing for many authors including Nathan McCaJ, Nelson George, and Chris Rile. She also had many artists showings both local and national in scope. The visibility of Lotts of Art gave her the opportunity to help many local people and organizations. Evelyn was voted businessperson of the year by two different local organizations in 1996 and 1997. She remained in business at the Sunrise mall until May of 2001.

Having fulfilled her dream of owning her own business in her hometown, Evelyn worked with many community groups, she served as the Minister of Music at St. John Baptist church and lived with her husband, Ben Cooper in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Evelyn's life can be summed up in a song by Chester D.T. Baldwin, "GOD made me for song" and it was not for myself, but to help others in praising GOD.

Evelyn leaves to cherish her precious memories her loving husband of 22 years, Benjamin Cooper; two sons, John Dunson (Shantayne), Las Vegas, NV, and Sean Dunson  (Le Anne), Nashville, TN; daughter, Deirdre Helms (Lonzie), Pearland, Texas; brothers, Lee Kellough (Annie),Houston, TX, and Michael Kellough, Austin, TX; sisters, Linda Jones, Fresno, TX, Patricia Williams, Houston, TX, Alicia Kellough, Victoria, TX, Cynthia Kellough, Karen Kellough, and Kathy Kellough, all of Bastrop, TX; seven grandchildren Tyler (John), Nia, Zion, and Jayden, Nashville, TN, Carlos, Las Vegas, NV, Lonzie, III and Alexis, Pearland, Texas; three great-great grandchildren, Oliver, Luna Joy, and Kalani, Nashville, TN; Numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends whose lives Evelyn touched.

To God be the Glory, Great Things He has Done!