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Recognition: Memorials

In Memory of Kathy Evans

Kathy loved God. She loved her family, which included her dogs! And she loved life. I remember a trip to Hawaii in 1979. We had the time of our lives! Kathy loved riding around and enjoying the sites. However she did not enjoy our hotel as our room was on the 22nd floor, and she was afraid of high places. I remember all the Christmas' we spent together, our house was usually where everyone gathered for the holidays. Kathy loved to celebrate every possible holiday and birthday, but Christmas was her favorite.

I remember her dedication to our children, Kristi and Michael. She would literally do anything for them. I remember soccer for both kids. I was coach sometimes, but Kathy was always team mom. I remember a trip to Europe, Michael's Junior year of High school. Kathy and I went along with 50 High school kids. We did not go as chaperones, but usually had more kids with us than the chaperones did. And, yes, Kristi was with us, we always did everything together. Kathy was just beginning to feel the effects of what we would later find out was Pulmonary Hypertension, but she did not give in to the shortness of breath. She was always a fighter.

I remember someone who did so much for so many people, right up to the day she went to be with the Lord. What I remember most and will miss most is my best friend. Kathy is with the Lord now, and she is OK, but we're still here and have to go on and sometimes it's hard. There is one thing I know, and Kathy helped reaffirm, it's that God is in control and if we lean on him we can go on. - Lee Evans

My mother was a beautiful woman, inside and out. She faced her obstacles with such strength and determination. Many would question how she could continue. For my mom, not moving on and living her life, was not an option.

I was always extremely apparent to me that my mom LOVED being a mother. She treasured the heart to heart talks, and loved to laugh as our family "played". She would also quickly go into fix mode if there were any disagreements. My mom told me many times that she had been praying for my future husband from the day I was born. I am so grateful that my mom had the opportunity to know and love my husband Brad, so we both may share her wisdom and spirit.

My mom is also my role model for Christian living. I gather such incredible strength from the lessons she shared in her walk with God. To quote my mom, No matter what happens in our life, if we give it to Him then it's His life and plan. He is the one with the perfect plan. We just need to step aside and give him all the praise and glory.

My mom dedicated her life to serving God, loving her family, and helping others. What a legacy she has left! I love her very much and I thank Goad everyday that he blessed me with such an inspiring mom. - Kristi Lane

Her laugh....her laugh will be something that will always be with me. So uncontrollable and giddy. She could be downright hysterical. She was her own favorite comedian, yet she couldn't finish her own jokes. If there was anyone that seemed to take solace in that "silver lining" we're all looking for...it was her. Sure she had her ups and downs....she wasn't always happy, but she always had joy.

She was a prayer warrior. I there was anyone more in need of healing and prayer it was her, yet she was the first one in the trenches when someone else needed help. It was that spirit that I will always carry with me. She never invested herself halfway. If she was going to be involved in something or someone needed help, she did it to her fullest...110%. I don't think anyone experienced that more than her family. I can remember coming home from choir trips, football games, and even dates - to my Mom up and waiting to hear all about it. And I told her. I was a "mama's boy", I know. But I wouldn't have had it any other way.

When mom died, I lost my best friend. There are plenty of people (friends and family) that I talk and spend time with on a regular basis, but no one knew me like her. I will miss the late night chats and laughing with her. We all will. - Michael Evans

Brad, Kristi, Lee, Kathy, Michael

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Peggy Turner - Granite Shoals, Texas February 19, 2002
Being close to kathy only for a short time, we met for lunch several times and I got to know her much better and I considered her my friend. After meeting her for lunch one day to discuss some problems she mentioned not having any close friends and I told her I loved her and I was her friend. A short time later I went on the emmaus walk and kathy was a angel for that walk. I grew even closer to kathy, we talked, we cryed alot, and laughed to gether. To make a long story short, I truly beieve kathy knew time was growing short by a series of events that led up to her death. I can truely say even after almost a year with her being with the lord has not grown easier.. I feel blest for having her as a friend, and for having known her. Always, peggy

Michael Houck - Granite Shoals, Texas February 20, 2002
I met Kathy when my wife and I joined our church in Granite Shoals. She was a very strong Christian witness for me in that she inspired me to be more Christ like by her example. Kathy sponsored me on my "Walk to Emmaus." She basically told me that I was going on this Walk and of course I said "yes Maam". As the day to go approached she made sure I had everything ready. We rode there with Lee and Tim Moody and had a good time. Even though she wasn't in the best health, she went way out of her way to make sure that this experience was going to be a great one for me. Kathy's strength in light of her illness inspired me to look at life in a different way! She was definitely a "rock" for many people. What an incredible woman. Her Beacon is still shining!

Barry Kniff - Brother - Big Bear Lake, California September 15, 2002
It has taken some time for me to put my thoughts together about Kathy. It has been difficult, since Kathy was my sister. As long as I can remember she was always upbeat. I don't know where she got that quality but obviously it helped her in the way she lived her life. Kathy had to endure illnesses that no one person should have to endure but she did so with a smile on her face and in her heart. At one point she worked with EMS when she herself needed oxygen to breath. Kathy had a great support group in her immediate family and I would like to thank her husband Lee and her kids Kristi and Michael for being there for her as they were.Kathy seemed to have humor instilled in her heart also. I believe Kathy had always leaned towards religion since there were several preachers in our family. It was just the opposite with me and we had a joke between us that the walls of the church would fall in if I was inside. I can remember as kids, during the bomb shelter era, my brother Brian and I would claim that we needed to take cover under the kitchen table. So Kathy would be under the table scared, and Brian and I would be under the table eating ice cream. Kathy didn't see the humor in it then but we laughed about it in later years. I don't know if Kathy had a premonition that time was getting short, but not long before her passing she came to visit us. That in itself is nothing big, but suffering with Pulmonary Hypertension and with the doctors saying that she could possibly be on oxygen for the rest of her life if she went to a high altitude, she came anyway. We live in the mountains at an altitude of 6750 feet.I am thankful that Kathy went quick and without pain, and as I was told, at a table with family joking and having a good time.
Missing her - Barry Kniff

Mike Adams - Montgomery, Alabama November 19, 2005
Kathy believed in me--when I did not. Kathy instilled something in me--a hope in the future when I was going through hard times emotionally and spiritually. She was just a good person. I drew value from just knowing there were people like her in the world. She is an angel now--I know.