Ruth Evans, 83

Funeral services for Betty Ruth Evans, 83, of Thornfield, will be held at 2 p.m. today, Jan. 27, 2021, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava with Pastor David Dye and Pastor Bill Havens officiating. Due to concerns related to the spread of the covid-19 virus, those attending are asked to please wear a mask. Mrs. Evans died peacefully on Jan. 22 at her home with her family by her side.

She was born Feb. 11, 1937, in Willow Springs, the daughter of the Rev. William “Will” and Clara Keeler Havens. On June 3, in Wasola, she married Darold Evans. 

Mrs. Evans gave her life to Christ at a very early age and was baptized at Noblett Lake. She began her teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse where her day began with building a fire to heat the classroom. Her teaching career spanned 43 years. She also taught Bible school as a teenager and served as a Sunday school teacher and superintendent for many years. Known as “Ruthie” to her family and friends, she loved cooking, gardening, canning, sewing and quilting, but her favorite activity was embroidering.

She was a member of the Thornfield General Baptist Church, Missouri Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Nimble Thimble Quilting Club. She volunteered at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare for many years, and in 2004 she was honored to receive the Missouri Healthcare Association Volunteer of the Year Award.   

Although she was increasingly homebound for the last few years of life, she continued to maintain her faith in God through a very active prayer life. She often talked about the many happy hours she and “Dad” spent with her dear friend Melanie Snow, sharing conversation, a good cup of coffee and finding encouragement to keep on keeping on for the Lord. Now she has finished her race and is in the presence of Jesus, the angels and her loved ones.

She is survived by her husband, Darold; her two children and their spouses, Mark Evans and wife Kelly, and Margaret Frazier and husband J.L.; four grandchildren, Sarah (Evans) and Jeremy Watson, Sam and Sarah Evans, Hannah Evans and Rebekah Evans; four great-grandchildren, Jack, Easton, Reed and Avery; her sister and brother Ann Dowell, and the Rev. Bill Havens and his wife Brenda; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Ivan Havens; and one great-grandson, Bryce Samuel Evans.

Burial will be in the Thornfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons, to Thornfield Cemetery or to Thornfield General Baptist Church. Online condolences may be expressed at clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.

Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, directors.