Her parents were Henderson and Annie Coomer of the poor farming community of Elroy, Adair County, Kentucky.

After World War II, she got a job stripping at the President's Club on Market Street in San Francisco.

A fixture at the Stardust on the old DeBaliviere Strip in St. Louis, Evelyn West featured her 39½ inch bustline.

She tried to legally change her name to Evelyn "$50,000 Treasure Chest" West at the Menard County Circuit Court,[3] threw a tomato at rival Anita Ekberg, appeared at nudist weddings, was charged with indecent exposure, sued contemporary Tempest Storm,[4] threatened legal action against Jane Russell, and openly criticized Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield.

A couple examples of those who took Evelyn's picture are photographer/former model Bunny Yeager and Tom Kelley (rose to fame for his Marilyn Monroe calendar).

A long time St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan, late in life she rooted for the Florida Marlins.