Eva Jean (Debnam) Hocutt

Eva Jean Debnam Hocutt, 85, of Zebulon, formerly of Knightdale, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 8.  Born in Nash County, NC, on June 19, 1936, she is the daughter of the late Walter Macon and Ruby Batchelor Debnam. Born the fourth of seven children in the Social Plains community, Eva began working in Raleigh soon after graduation from Middlesex High School. She married James Ray Hocutt on September 22, 1957, and they settled in the Green Pines community in Knightdale where they made their home for almost 40 years. They attended Hillcrest Baptist Church and Green Pines Baptist Church during this time where Eva served in several capacities with the children’s programs. She was a fiercely loyal wife, mother, and MaMa. She and Ray together were a couple of integrity and character who provided a loving home, creating many memories along the way, for which Kimberly is eternally grateful. Her granddaughter Hannah was the apple of her eye and the light of her life with whom she spent countless hours, never failing to fill each moment with endless laughter and immense joy. Though over the years she held positions in the Insurance industry and State Government, her priority was her family, and she fully supported and prepared for every event, activity, and endeavor in which we were involved. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends as will her home cooked meals, special recipes (chicken salad, spaghetti sauce, German chocolate cake, and pickles), and the holiday traditions she created, making each one special. She is known for her love of her favorite things: oranges, Pepsi, Sunkist, nabs, strawberries, and Duke’s mayonnaise. 

A funeral service will be held 1:00 pm, Thursday, April 14, 2022 at L. Harold Poole Funeral Service Chapel, 944 Old Knight Road, Knightdale. Burial will follow at Social Plains Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive relatives and friends from 7:00 to 8:30 pm, Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at the funeral home. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, James Ray Hocutt, on September 13, 2007, and siblings: Walter Clellon Debnam and wife, Jeanette, Louise Debnam Jones and husband, Ivan, Harold Glen Debnam, Connie Debnam Brown; and brother-in-law, Bobby Horton. 

She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly; and granddaughter, Hannah Grace of Raleigh; brother, Bruce Maxton Debnam and Alma of Zebulon; sister, Elsie Faye Debnam Horton of Fuquay-Varina; sister-in-laws: Peggy Debnam and Barbara Debnam of Zebulon; brother-in-law, Darrel Brown of Whitakers; and nieces and nephews and their families: Cindy, Vickie, Kenneth, Ricky, Carolyn, Ruby, Donnie, Hal, Amy, Michael, Tim, and Tina. She is also survived by her Hocutt family; sister-in-law Katie Hocutt Holleman of Knightdale;   nephew, Joe Holleman of Knightdale; nieces: Marsha Hocutt Duke and husband, Bob of Raleigh/Wake Crossroads and their family; and Crystal Hocutt Duty and husband, Jesse of Stella. 

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our family and friends who have assisted and supported our family through Eva’s illness. 

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Social Plains Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

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