Doris Jo Evans

Doris Evans of Austin, Texas passed away on July 4, 2022, at the age of 96 just days before her 97th birthday. Born on July 11, 1925, in Kerrville, Texas where she grew up and began lifelong studies in art.

After graduating from Tivy High School where Doris was Drum Majorette of the band in 1942, she began her college career at Texas Women’s University in Denton. Her father passed during her first year and Doris later transferred to The University of Texas at Austin. During her time there, she was an assistant to her professor, sculpture Charles Umlauf and worked in the art library of the new UT Tower building. She was very active in the social life at UT and a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The University of Texas in 1946.

Doris and Jack were married in 1946 and settled in Beaumont where she began her teaching career. Five years later, their first child Stan was born in 1951 and they moved to Nederland, Texas where Jack (1952), Sharon (1958) and Jim (1959) were born and raised. Doris taught Art for most of her 30-year public school career in Beaumont and Nederland, Texas sharing her love and knowledge of arts and crafts with her beloved students, all of this while being a wife and mother, raising four children.

Upon retiring, Doris opened The Art Mill Gallery in Old Town Beaumont and taught painting at The Art Mill and Beaumont Art League. Doris continued her education at Lamar University and spent her time traveling throughout Italy, Greece, Paris, England, Scotland, Wales, New Mexico (Taos and Ghost Ranch), and travels to Mexico (Lake Chapala and San Miguel De Allende) and where she found inspiration for her paintings.

After moving back to Austin in 1988 she focused on her painting. Works of Doris’ artwork was accepted in many juried shows and has been shown at the Pasillo de Artes Gallery, Franklin Plaza, Daughery Art Center, Laughing at The Sun Gallery, Kirby Lane Restaurant(s), and the Doris Evans Studio in Austin where she continued teaching private lessons as long as possible and expressing herself through her art through the rest of her life.

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, Dwight and Estelle McLeod, brother Dwight McLeod, and daughter-in-law Margaret Evans.

Doris is survived by her children Stanley Paul Evans (Stana Evans) and daughters Nicole Ramirez (Marco Ramirez), Danielle Sperrazza (Nick Sperrazza). Jack Blair Evans (Margaret Evans) and daughter Katie Evans. Sharon Yvonne Evans Grayum (John Grayum) and daughter Sara Estelle Grayum, Jimmy Glynn Evans (Kim Serene) and son Jeremy Evans-Nalipay.

A delightful and happy person, her joy was contagious to those around her. Doris considered everyone she met as her friend. A life-long artist and practitioner of positivity, she harnessed the power of positive thought and reminded others that your thoughts create your reality.

A visitation for Doris will be held Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. A funeral service will occur Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749. A graveside service will occur Saturday, July 23, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, TX 78749.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com for the Evans family.