Earleen M Evans

“Earleen Jo Maxwell-Evans”, loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother, born in Bristol Tennessee as “Earleen Jo Leab” passed away on December 24th, 2022, after a short but hard-fought battle with Pancreatic cancer. She was 74 years young.

Though her health was failing for months, few people knew the extent to which she struggled. Her joy for life and indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain while she continued to work her job of 12 years for a company she loved “QGS Development”, go to church at “Lone Oak Baptist”, and share the recent holidays with family and friends.

It would be wrong to say that Earleen “lost” her battle because she never stopped fighting. No matter how sick she was, she was determined to let us know what strength really looked like. When most would have broken, she stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience, perseverance, and strength truly look like. There was no quit in her. Just because she is no longer here, it doesn’t mean she “lost” her fight. She won, she’s where we all want to be one day.

Some people only walk this earth for a short time and others get a bit longer to spend here with us. How “God’s people” depart helps to reminds us that angels are waiting/watching over us. Last week, Earleen rejoined her heavenly family and is in a place, I’m sure, she wouldn’t want to leave. At this very moment, she is with God. We should all be jealous!

Earleen had a few things she like to do, none topped spending time with family and friends of course. She loved to put her children in all types of competitions like modeling, dance, and pageants. She loved to bowl and took home many prizes for that sport even going to championship bowling tournaments across the country with David. She also loved to collect all kinds of things like Snow Babies, coins, and baseball cards, watching football and baseball with David, just to name a few.

Earleen shared matrimony with her first husband “James Carlton Maxwell” from 1964 to 1996, who passed away December 28th, 1996, and her current husband “David Eston Evans” whom she has been with since 2001 and married to since 2007.

Earleen is survived by:

Kenneth Leab (Brother), Tom Leab (Brother), and Heidi.

Children-William “Doug” Maxwell and Vonda, Judith Hope Maxwell-Vena and Jody, and James D. Maxwell.

Grandchildren-Clayton Maxwell, Matthew Campbell, AJ Vena, Bryanna Stevens, McKenzie Maxwell, Gabriel Maxwell, and Trenden Maxwell.

Great Grandchildren-Seniyah Maxwell, Natalia Maxwell, Alyssa Maxwell, and coming soon “baby” Stevens.

Step-Children-Sondra Evans-Townsend, David C. Evans, and Corey D. Evans.

Step-Grandchildren-Keegan Evans, Tabitha Lutz, Nickolas Lutz, Jordan Evans, Kaley Townsend, Joshua Townsend, and Devan Evans.

Earleen was proceeded in death by:

Father “John Ombie Leab” and Mother “Willie Mae Leab”

William Allen Leab (Brother), Dorothy Bennett (Sister), John Leab (Brother), Jack Leab (Brother).

While Earleen’s family grieves her loss, they are choosing to remember her in a way that honors her spirit. Her husband David and children invite family and friends to join them in a Funeral/Celebration of Life Ceremony. It will take place Saturday, January 7th, 2023, with viewing at 10 am, the funeral to start at 11 am with a reception to be held immediately after from 12-1:30 pm at Lone Oak Baptist Church (Address below). Intimate burial site ceremony with immediate family to be held at Mt Enon Cemetery 3702 N Frontage Rd. Plant City Florida 33565 at 2 pm.

The family wishes to thank all of those who visited and cared for her during her life and last days. For those who have known Earleen, it has been a fruitful journey and she would hope and pray for only happy memories to be shared about her life.

Flower and memorial donations may be sent to Lone Oak Baptist Church, 3505 Lone Oak Rd. Plant City, Florida 33567 where she was a member and attended services.