- December 16, 2025
Evelyn Rylas lived in the building that now houses Fusion 43.
Evelyn Ryes, former owner of the Fusion 43 building, celebrated her 94th birthday at the restaurant Feb. 11. Seated in one of the dining rooms, surrounded by her friends and family, she spilled the secret of a happy, healthy life.
“Love the Lord,” she said. “Read the Bible. Trust it and trust the Lord. Give your life to him.”
Her advice rewarded with a loud “Amen” from the people seated at her table.
Rylas still participates in the Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach where she’s been a member since the 1950s. She was a Sunday school teacher for 60 years. Though she was born in Washington D.C., Rylas moved down to Ormond Beach to be closer to her mom and dad when she was 18 years old. She’s also worked as a telephone operator, a long distance operator and rented rooms at was now is home to Fusion 43.
“She’s a whip,” Current Fusion 43 partner Stephan Raymond. “We have people in here in there 70s, and she’s quicker than them.”
“I met all kinds of people,” Rylas said. “I had to learn how to handle a lot of people. I’ve always been a cook.”
Her favorite things to make are fudge, cornbread, gingerbread and fried chicken. But she doesn’t get in the kitchen too often now.
“It slows you down,” Rylas chuckled. “You can’t do what you once did. You can’t work like you once did. You just have to take life easy and little quieter. Just sit back in the rocking chair with your legs up and get bored.”
