Mrs. Nancy Eva Evans

February 1, 1923 - September 21, 2020

Masks are required while in the building viewing, and for all funeral and graveside services. Obituary Nancy Eva Evans 1 Feb 1923 – 21 Sep 2020 Nancy Eva (Franks) Evans was born in Athens, Texas on February 2, 1923. She was the only child of Cuney and Lila Franks. She grew up on the family farm, southeast of Athens. As Nancy grew into maturity, the family moved into Athens and she graduated from Fisher high school. It was at Fisher High that she met Ernest Evans, who later became her husband of 53 years. Ernest, a resident of Oklahoma City, was spending time with his Uncle A.B. Williams and family. Bishop Williams was the pastor of a church and an orphanage in Athens. Although Cuney and Lila had no other children, Nancy was blessed with a large extended family with lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Both Nancy’s mother and father had more than 10 brothers and sisters. Because of the efforts of her great-grandparents, the family had and still has large land holdings southeast of Athens. Nancy was always held high spiritual regard. Her many many cousins considered her as a caring and loving family member. Ernest and Nancy were married 29 May, 1944, prior to his deployment to Europe during World War II. During the time he was in the Army, Nancy relocated to California where she worked in war support industries. After the war, Ernest and Nancy rejoined and returned to Oklahoma City and started their family. Stanley, the oldest, was born in Athens. Their other two children, Ernestine and Ernest Junior were born in Oklahoma City. Nancy and Ernest became members of the Church of God, Pillar and Ground of the Truth. Nancy was a very active leader in this church and in several others throughout the community. She held several national, regional, and local offices, to include the National Youth Programs Director, and home church Sunday School Superintendent. She also taught many Sunday School and Bible study classes. She spearheaded several joint Christian programs in the Oklahoma City area. One of which was the Baptist Educational Center, founded by Ms. Lina B. Hoppell, where many of our current church and community leaders received their grounding while children. Nancy made Christian education and growth a cornerstone in the development of her children. In her home, Christ was first and the study of the Bible was paramount. The daily devotions and prayer sessions grounded each child with a strong sense of purpose and Christian confidence. Late in life, Nancy joined the Ministry of Love Church where she remained a student as well as a guide. She considered the teachings within this church a beacon on how to guide in lifetime spiritual growth as she continued to mature as a Christian. The lesson was that you are never too old to learn was well communicated there. She also remained a member of Wildewood Christian Church, since 1973, which has become the center church for her family. As Ernest’s helpmate, Nancy supported all of his efforts to make a better life for both his family and the larger Eastside Oklahoma City Community. As time went on, Nancy was recognized as quite the community leader herself. Both she and Ernest were well known and well thought of. They both were people whom community leaders and others would quietly come to for advice and counseling. Ernest’s role as a war hero, then cab driver, then as one of Oklahoma City’s first Black Firemen gave him visibility and credibility. Nancy’s credibility came from being a strong wife, a Christian leader, and one with always a helping hand or bit of advice. When Nancy lost Ernest, in 1995, she did not fold up. In fact, her way of dealing with the loss of her husband showed, Christian commitment and leadership. She accepted God’s will and also His mission to her to continue on! Her role in the community and its life did not diminish. The loss of her granddaughter Lisa (Lee) Evans in 1997 and her own daughter Ernestine Evans Powell in 1999 did not diminish her spirit either. She showed the family, through her strength how to trust in God and to deal with earthly loss. Nancy’s adopted children as well as actual family range from the Atlantic to the Pacific and to this very moment have stayed in contact with her for advice and guidance. Nancy considers one of her many blessings to be married to Ernest Evans for 53 years, who is now with the Father. Ernestine, their daughter has also gone to be with the Father. Surviving are Nancy’s and Ernest’s two sons – Stanley, with wife Saundra; and Ernest Junior, with wife Debra. Nancy and Ernest had four grandchildren, Lisa (deceased), and Stanley II through Stanley and Saundra; by Ernest Junior and Debra, there are granddaughters Amber and Shani, and grandson Andrew. Nancy and Ernest were blessed with literally hundreds of cousins coming from large families in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, California, and Missouri. Nancy is also blessed with dozens of adopted children and grandchildren who were wounded in spirit until Jesus sent them her way. Because of her willingness to take them in, there are literally hundreds who have now seen Jesus Christ and have received their blessings because of her willingness to accept them and lead a model Christ-like life. In the last few years of her life, Nancy has resided at The Lakes, in Oklahoma City. There, she has continue to grow her ministry, by being a Christian Spirit and by helping the staff and the other residents learn how to operate in God’s Favor; and to again, grow her Christian family. Nancy Evans has been blessed with a wonderful life. She has suffered tremendous set-backs, but Nancy would be the first to tell you that she has had a wonderful life. She will tell you that she was excited every day, to be chosen as a Child of God – and to be given the blessings that she has been given. She would also tell you that it is living within the Holy Spirit that determines your joy on this Earth.