Eva was born and raised in Garvin, Minnesota on the first day of 1944, where she lived until her late teens. She fell in love with Troy Stidham of Paragould, Arkansas while both were spending time in the Chicago, IL area. The two were married on June 2nd , 1962. They lived in Chicago, until settling in Paragould in 1967, where they raised their family.

Eva was a successful seamstress and small business owner, founding Eva's Petticoats and working for her son at the Stidham Law Firm. Her beautiful creations were shipped all over the world, many of her custom petticoats being used in Broadway productions. She worked on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in the 1990's and is the only person in the world known to possess every single campaign pin ever made. She had many skills and interests, including but not limited to: Music, square-dancing, playing cards, home design and construction, travel, amateur restaurant critique, and was an avid Dr. Pepper enthusiast. While she enjoyed all of these things, and spending time with the many friends that she made along the way, they all came second to the roll that she was born to play; Matriarch of the Stidham family.

Eva lived for her husband, Troy, and they had two lifetimes worth of adventures together, making countless memories along the way. The pair had three children (Dan, Tammy and Cynthia) and six grandchildren; Daniel (Angie) Stidham, Chris (Kelli) Stidham, Nicole (Dylan) Weisenfels, & Michael (Alexa) Stidham; Taylor (Morgan) May and Casen May. They also had nine great-grandchildren; Elsie Weisenfels, Violet Weisenfels, Kieser May, Kora May, Olivea Jett, Kailey Jett, Miles Young, Ava Mae Stidham, and Isaiah Stidham.

Eva went to be with the Lord, and all of those that she'd loved and lost along the way, on Friday, May 31st after battling poor health for the last couple of years. She was preceded in death by her parents (Tony and Babe Peterson), five elder brothers (Louis, Raymond, Robert, Ivan, Lyle), two sisters (Eleanor and Nina), and a grandson (Chris). She leaves behind her beloved husband of 63 years (Troy), her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with two brothers (Arthur and Carl) and countless friends.

"Gramma" Eva Stidham will be deeply missed and will live on through the lessons taught to, and stories told by, all of those whose lives she touched along the way.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 4 from noon until service time at Phillips Funeral Home.  The memorial service will begin at 2 p.m. at Phillips Funeral Home.