Mary Ann Evans, age 92, of Lake Murvaul near Gary, Texas, formerly of Anahuac, Texas, passed away on Friday night, June 20, 2025, in Henderson, Texas. Mary Ann Hicks was born on November 4, 1932, in Nacogdoches, Texas to the late Prentice Ferguson and Ethel Roena Berry Hicks. She graduated from Nacogdoches High School with the class of 1951 and attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she earned a double major bachelor's degree in music and education. She enjoyed a long career in education where she touched the lives of many students and made many lifelong friends. Mary Ann married Joseph Leighton Evans on September 6, 1953, in Nacogdoches and they celebrated almost 70 years together before his death on June 9, 2023. She loved music, art, writing, teaching piano, and most of all, reading her Bible and sharing her faith. Mary Ann enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and making wonderful memories at her home on Lake Murvaul. She was of the Baptist faith and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Anahuac for many years. In 2005, Mary Ann and Joe moved from Anahuac and became members of the First Baptist Church of Tatum, Texas. She was also preceded in death by a grandson, Scott Andrew Evans; a sister-in-law, Patsy Ray Smith; and stepmother, Nellie Todd Hicks.

She is survived by her sons, David Evans and wife Becky and Andy Evans and wife Tammie; grandchildren, Nicki Simpson and husband Roddy, Meagan Taylor and husband Jeff, and Jaxon Evans; great-grandchildren, Josie and Eli Simpson and Emily and Katy Taylor, nephew, Scott Smith and wife Anita; and niece, Kathy Hawkins and husband Gordon.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at the First Baptist Church of Anahuac with Pastor John Bender officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home of Carthage, Texas. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday at the church prior to the funeral service. Interment will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday at Harris Chapel Cemetery near Beckville, Texas with Pastor James Shans officiating.

Pallbearers are Tan Williams, John Best, Trey Clark, Larry Prince, Victor Kruger, Ricky Kruger, Tim Krizak, and Baret Stephenson.

Honorary pallbearers are Quinton Roberts, Doug Chauvin, Jim Nelson, David Morris, Jasper Best, and Allen Koch.

Memorials may be made to the Scott Evans Memorial Scholarship, c/o Vera Bank, 165 N. Hill St., Tatum, TX 75691 or to Godlink, 3710 W. Marshall, Longview, TX 75604.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.