Evelyn Overstake was born December 20, 1914 in Decatur, Illinois, the first of three
daughters born to two Salvation Army workers. The Overstake Sisters began
harmonizing at school functions and mission meetings and their popularity led to radio
appearances in central Illinois. Renamed the Three Little Maids, the sisters began singing
on WLS Chicago in 1931. The group appeared on the National Barn Dance, Round-Up,
and Dinnerbell programs. They signed on with the American Record Corporation and cut
four titles in April 1933, all issued on the Conqueror label. Bufwack and Oermann say of
Evelyn in Finding Her Voice, “her low tones are perhaps the outstanding feature of the
trio’s records.”
Evelyn’s sister, Eva, married Red Foley (bassist for the group, Cumberland Ridge
Runners). Eva’s pregnancy ended the Three Little Maids act in early 1934. (Eva and Red’s daughter, Shirley Lee Foley, married singer Pat Boone) Evelyn continued a solo career on WLS through 1942. Evelyn
was also known as the “Melody Maid,” or “The Little Maid,” and had her own solo
programs, including a Saturday morning show. Evelyn married D. R. Bechtel of Chicago
and had a son, Neil Eugene Bechtel. The youngest Overstake sister, Lucille, later
performed as Jenny Lou Carson, and became a successful songwriter in the 1940s and
50s.
