M. Frances Evans

Died: April 27, 2008

M. Frances Evans, 78, of Greeneville, died Sunday morning at Laughlin Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family.

Mrs. Evans was a member of First Christian Church.

She was a retired employee of Greene Valley Developmental Center.

Her family noted, "She was a kind and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her top priorities and talents consisted of her love for music, which she displayed enthusiastically, and the study of several corresponding Bible courses. Her patience, positive outlook on life and contagious laughter will be sadly missed. Her life and actions reflected one of her favorite quotes 'A friend in need is a friend in deed.' "

Survivors include her husband of 54 years: Robert Evans of Greeneville; two daughters and sons-in-law: Judy and Kenneth Holtsclaw of Morristown and Jane and Jim Allen of Greeneville; two sons and daughters-in-law: Randy and Patricia Evans and Mike and Shannon Evans, all of Greeneville; seven grandchildren and a granddaughter-in-law: Josh and Corinne Allen of Jonesborough, Jeremy Holtsclaw of Morristown, and Lance Holtsclaw, Katie Evans, Grace Evans, Javes Evans, and Lindsay Evans, all of Greeneville; three great-grandchildren: Madison Holtsclaw of Morristown and Ben Allen and Jacob Allen, both of Jonesborough; one sister Marjorie Williams of Morristown; three sisters-in-law: Athyne Shanks of Kingsport, Nelle Evans of Limestone, and Barbara Evans of Greeneville; two special nieces: Chrystyl Dimler of Phoenix, Ariz., and Michella Estes of Whitesburg; and several other nieces, nephews and cousins; and her "circle of special friends" include Joan Mitchell, Gladdis Crawford and Dorothy Humphreys, all of Greeneville, Dean and Sharon Tipton of Limestone, and her college roommate and longtime friend, Betty Helton of Texas.

Mrs. Evans was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Mallory Allen; her parents: O.M. and Cornelia Hartsell; two brothers: Dr. O.M. Hartsell and Dr. Charles Hartsell; and one sister: Anna Mary Jaynes.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Doughty-Stevens Funeral Home.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 8 o'clock in the funeral home chapel.

Scott Wakefield and Charles Reese, ministers, will officiate.

A committal service will be held at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning in GreeneLawn Memory Gardens. Family, friends and pallbearers will meet at 10 o'clock at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Josh Allen, Jeremy Holtsclaw, Lance Holtsclaw, Kenneth Holtsclaw, Jim Allen, and Dean Tipton.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church designated for the "Operation Imagine" project.

Condolences may be sent to the Evans family at www.doughty-stevens.com