Mary Frances Evans 1923-2007

EVANS, HUMPHRY, JACKSON, TURNER, BENIK, PALMER, BURGASON, BROOKS, HOWELL

Posted By: N. Wagner (email)
Date: 12/28/2007 at 10:34:26

Mary Frances (Humphry) Evans, 83, of Florence, Ariz., formerly of West Union, died Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007, in Apache Junction, Ariz., following a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life will be held Feb. 16, 2008, at First Presbyterian Church of Florence in Florence, Ariz.

Mary Frances (Humphry) Evans was born in West Union on Dec. 26, 1923, the eldest of three daughters of Ralph and Lois Humphry. She grew up in West Union and attended Upper Iowa University and the University of Iowa.

A talented musician, she won top honors in flute at the state competition, sang in the choir at United Methodist Church in West Union, and performed vocal numbers in the community with her two younger sisters.

In 1943, Mary Frances married Edward L. Evans of Dows while he was serving in the Naval Air Corps. After World War II, the couple settled in West Union and raised their family.

Mrs. Evans completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in education.

In 1964, the Evanses moved to Longmont, Colo., where Mrs. Evans taught elementary school for the St. Vrain Valley School District for 16 years.

After retiring from her teaching career, she became a published poet and wrote women's choral music. A lifelong vocalist, Mrs. Evans sang in the First United Methodist Church choir in Longmont.

In 1994, the retired couple moved to Florence, Ariz. They joined the First Presbyterian Church of Florence, where Mrs. Evans participated in the church choir.

She enjoyed art as a hobby and spent her later years painting landscapes, as well as completing the daily crossword puzzle in the newspaper.

Mrs. Evans is survived by her husband, Edward L. Evans of Florence, Ariz.; her children Cynthia Jackson of Tucson, Ariz., Carol (Joseph) Turner of Longmont, Colo., Barbara (Richard) Benik of Lakewood, Colo., and David Evans of Eugene, Ore.

Additional survivors include her sisters Martha Lu (Douglas) Palmer of Manchester and JoAnn (Verle) Burgason of Ames; her grandchildren Alexandra (William) Brooks, Christine (Roger) Howell, and Monica Benik; her great-grandchildren Jacob and Emma; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: (Attention: Miriam Reed), First Presbyterian Church of Florence, 225 W. Butte Ave., Florence, AZ 85232.

Fayette County Union, December 24, 2007