Mary Elizabeth Evans, born on August 20, 1941, went to be with the Lord on February 25, 2015, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rufus Taylor and Lou Cindy Thomas; sisters, Opal and Frank Osborne, Magalene Gault; brothers, Carl Thomas, W.L. and Betty Thomas, and son-in-law Eddie Purkey. She is also preceded in death by her beloved dog, Coco. She is survived by husband of 54 years, Kenneth Evans. She is also survived by daughters, Francis Byrd and husband, Randy Byrd , Rebecca Brown and husband Greg Brown, and sister Charlotte Keck; grandchildren, Lori and Brian Staudenmaier, Myra and Jordan Fuhrman, Kenneth and Clara Harrell, Morgan Brown, and Macy Brown, along with great-grandchildren Aidan and Alaina Staudenmaier and Kylar Kittrell. The family would also like to recognize her adopted son, Robert Long, and her two special nephews, Jack and Linda Thomas and Dale and Debbie Osborne.
As a child, she was a member of Edgemoor Baptist Church and later became a member of Second Baptist Church.
She worked in the family business, Evans Contracting, for more than 30 years. She was the backbone of the company.
She enjoyed traveling across the country with her husband and family, riding up the lake for dinner with family, and never missed an opportunity to read a good novel or work another puzzle. She enjoyed camping with her friends and family. She loved her pets, Pebbles and Roxie, who were by her side until the end. She approached life with a fierce spirit and was a pillar of strength to her family. She will be greatly missed by family and friends for her witty humor and distinctive personality.
Her husband, Kenneth, would like to share this special poem:

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little and not too long
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It's all part of life's plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the family and friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me, but let me go.

The family will receive friends Sunday, March 1st from 5-7 PM at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton. Funeral service will follow with Steve Evans and Wayne Phillips officiating. Graveside service will be Monday, March 2nd at 11:00 AM at Grandview Memorial Garden in Clinton. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.holleygamblefh.com


Pallbearers:
Kenneth Harrell
Randy Byrd
Greg Brown
Jordan Fuhrman
Brian Staudenmaier
Dale Osborne