Dorothy Mae Evans

Dorothy Mae Farris Evans passed away peacefully on May 6, 2017 in the Spring Branch home her late husband built in 1950. She was born on Jan. 31, 1923 in Madisonville, TX the daughter of Otis Eugene Farris and Lilla Virginia Farris. After graduating from the Fellowship School at age 15, she moved south to Houston, and lived with her aunt and uncle while she looked for work. She attended secretarial school and began working for American General Insurance.

She was introduced to her future husband, James Straus Evans, by her aunt. They were married on June 6, 1941. Following James’ service in the U. S. Navy during WWII, the couple settled in Houston and made a life together. Dorothy was a smart, forceful, independent woman. She always wanted the best for her family. She enjoyed many activities in her life, including traveling, learning, cooking, and especially giving advice to her children and grandchildren.

Dorothy loved her neighborhood, and it was a blessing that she was able to stay in her home until the end of her life. Before heart disease sidelined her, Dorothy was a member of a group of the neighborhood women who got together regularly to walk and catch up on what was going on in their lives. She was well known in the neighborhood for her bike riding and power walking, and she even competed in the Senior Olympics for several years running.

She had a lifelong love of the beach, taking her children to beaches as often as possible when they were young. When the children were adults, she invited them to visit her during her beach vacations, a tradition that her children have continued with their own children and grandchildren.

Dorothy and James had three children, all of whom have survived their parents: James Asa Evans (and his wife, Diana), Janet Elaine Goodman (and her husband, Jim), and Donna Lynn Evans. She cherished her grandchildren, even sleeping beneath a quilt bearing their names: Clifton Evans and his wife, Christy; Andrew Evans and his wife, Eilish; Matthew Goodman and fiancée, Amber Arnold; Sarah Goodman and fiancé, Brandon Mosley. She spent many quality years with her great-grandchildren: Samuel, Luke, Gabriel and Ava Evans; and MacAnder, Garnet, and Graeme Evans. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Zawaska.

She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband; her brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Lucille Farris; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Virginia (John) Morgan, Margaret (John) Kallina, Jean (Hubert) Cosby, and Len Zawaska. The family offers their sincere gratitude to her caregiver, Charlotte McMillan.

Dorothy’s visitation and celebration of life service will both be held at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home chapel, 13001 Katy Fwy. Visitation with the family is on Tuesday, May 9 from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.; the funeral service follows at 3 p.m. with Rev. John W. Cain officiating. Burial at Memorial Oaks Cemetery will immediately follow the service.