Eva Sexton

On Thursday, May 12th, 2016 Eva Mae Sexton passed away peacefully at age 94.  Eva was born in Lawrence, KS on September 6, 1921 to Albert and Amanda Shepard.  She arrived in Salt Lake City in 1943 and married Henry Sexton.  They were married for 62 years.  Together they founded the “Four Five’s Club” a social club for African Americans. Eva later established the first bowling league for African Americans, and bowled a perfect game scoring 300.
Eva’s proudest accomplishment was becoming the first African-American foster parent in Utah and providing a home for over 187 children. Many of the children Eva helped continued to visit her up to the time of her passing.  Eva was honored as Foster Parent of the Year several times, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Utah’s Division of Family and Youth Services.
During her lifetime, Eva also fought for civil rights. She was the first black woman to vote in the State of Utah, and received the NAACP’s Rosa Parks Award in 2004, and the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Lottie B. Wilson Award in 2011.  Eva was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; son, Henry Albert; and six siblings.  She is survived by her son, Dennis; daughter, Bobbie (Deric); grandchildren, Natalie, Amanda, Emmanuel, and Isabelle; four great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and many foster children.  Memorial services will be held Thursday, May 19th, 12:00 noon, at Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 South State Street, Salt Lake City, UT.   A viewing will be held one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.memorialutah.com
Service Information
Viewing May 19, 2016 at 11:00 am - 11:45 am
1090 South State Steet, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111





Funeral Service
May 19, 2016 at 12:00 pm
1090 South State Steet, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111