Everett H. Cannon was born August 8, 1922 to Laura (Guthrie) and Benjamin Franklin Cannon in Swansboro, North Carolina. He had one younger sister.
Everett attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, but after WWII began, he left to become a civilian telephone operator on the Cherry Point military base in Havelock, North Carolina. In October of 1942, he entered the US Army Air Corps, and became a radio-operator/technician. Everett received a Good Conduct Medal with two Battle Stars, and a Purple Heart for taking shrapnel in his leg. He suffered severe back problems for the rest of his life as a result of injuries sustained during the war. After the war, Everett studied at Columbia University, New York, while working as a free-lance writer and investigative reporter. He also lived in Arlington, Virginia for several years while working as a bookkeeper at the Pentagon.
During the 1950’s, Everett converted to Catholicism, which led him to meet Betrice Mary Kasha of Pilson, Kansas. They were married on February 23, 1960, and they moved to Cuautla, Mexico, where Everett focused on producing several novels and short stories (currently in our family’s private collection). Everett and Betrice had three children: Francis “Frank” Edward, and identical twins Laura Marie (Cannon) Edwards and Lina Maureen (Cannon) Gadient. Everett and Betrice eventually moved their family to Phoenix, Arizona, where Everett entered the Real-Estate business.
After Everett and Betrice divorced, Everett continued to live in Arizona until he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He moved to Kings Point, Missouri, in 1981. Everett died peacefully on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood, Missouri. Everett is survived by his ex-wife, Betrice, 3 children, 12 grand-children, and 6 great-grand-children. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Evelyn Rebecca (Cannon) Hill; his niece Lisa Hill; his granddaughter Kimberly Marie (Edwards) Smith, and great-granddaughters Ciera Lynn Smith and Jordan LeeAnn Smith.
Everett was an amazing story-teller, and he will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. According to Everett’s wishes, his immediate family held a private funeral service on July 4; however, the family will place a memorial in the chapel at Good Shepherd Nursing Home. In lieu of flowers, Everett requested that you donate to your favorite charity. The Cannon, Gadient and Edwards families wish to extend deep thanks to the staff of Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Lockwood, Missouri, for their dedicated care and support.