Dr. Mary Elizabeth Evans, 94, of Denton, died peacefully in her home on January 17, 2014. She was born in Nevada, TX on July 1, 1919 to George and Mary Belle Evans.
Mary was raised in Nevada, TX and attended Nevada Grammar School at age four. She graduated from Nevada High School then went to Wichita Falls Junior College, where she lived for two years. Her love for education did not stop her from enjoying time horseback riding, playing tennis, and roller skating. She loved gardening with her mother and spent her spare time visiting with her sisters, brother, and nieces.
Mary went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from North Texas State College (now the University of North Texas) in 1939. She began her teaching career at Wylie High School in the Home Economics Department. Mary continued her education and earned her Masters and Doctoral of Education. Dr. Evans became the first woman to earn a Doctoral degree from North Texas State College in the university's history at that time in 1954.
She moved to Denton in the late 1950's after accepting a teaching position at the North Texas State College School of Home Economics. In the early 1960's she was Chairman of the State Board of Examiners. She was named Dean of the School of Home Economics in the late 1960's, and retired from the University of North Texas after thirty years.
Mary had an unwavering faith in God. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Denton. Over the years she was very involved with the church and assisted in numerous church projects. She loved teaching Bible classes and attending Bible studies. She was a true steward of God, family, and community.
Mary was well known for "dropping in" and surprising friends and colleagues with her delicious homemade cakes and cookies. She loved to make gift baskets and Christmas stockings full of candies and nuts and surprise unsuspecting recipients. She loved to put a smile on someone's face. She was an avid gardener and loved the outdoors and spending time in her greenhouse.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, George and Mary Belle Evans; sisters, Inez O'Dell and her husband Bob, Corrine Evans, Ruth Wright and her husband Obie, Tommie Evans, Lucy Evans, Georgia Evans and brother, William Evans and his wife Mildred. She is survived by her niece, Catherine O'Rourke and her husband Danny of Haslett, Michigan.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, January 23, 2014 in the Cole Chapel of the First United Methodist Church, 201 S. Locust, Denton. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Nevada, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ann's Haven Visiting Nurses Association, 325 W. McKinney St., Ste. 101, Denton, TX 76201; or to the First United Methodist Church in Denton. The family would like to thank Mary's companions and caregivers.