Emery Evans Jr.

Emery Evans, Jr., passed peacefully from this life at his home in Norman, Oklahoma, surrounded by family. He went to be with his Lord on August 25, 2025, and his faith became sight. Emery lived an amazing 100 years and 4 days.

Emery was the sixth of thirteen children born to Emery Evans, Sr, and Nellie Grace “Dillon” Evans, on a farm near Stanberry, MO, on August 20, 1925. Emery’s family had a farm and were share-croppers until after World War II.

When Emery was a boy, his Dad and Mom helped plant a new church near their farm. Each Sunday morning, they loaded up the horse drawn wagon and the family traveled several miles to the Lafeyette Baptist Church. When he was 13 years old, Emery gave his life to Jesus. Soon, the church gathered at a nearby farm where Emery was baptized in a cow trough (luckily, a new one!). Emery’s faith in Christ impacted his core values and decisions for the next 87 years. He wrote in his autobiography: “I knew the Lord was with me through every experience and trial I would face in the years to come.”

In 1943, Emery graduated from Stanberry High School. After graduation, Emery enlisted in the Army’s 75th Infantry Division and fought in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II, where he was awarded the Silver Star for bravery. He was later awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.

After leaving the Army, Emery studied Engineering at Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, MO. Emery moved to Kansas City, MO, after college and began working in the insurance industry. There, he met his beautiful bride, Frances Jo Bradshaw. They were married in Mount Ayr, Iowa, on June 23, 1949. In 1955, Emery and Frances adopted their son David Kent Evans. In 1962, they adopted a daughter, Reva Kay Evans, to complete their family. Emery continued his career with Allstate Insurance Company in Kansas City. Later, he was promoted, and he, Frances, and Reva moved to the Chicago area. Emery retired from Allstate in 1991, and he and Frances moved back to the Kansas City area. Frances lost her life to cancer in 1999, a few months after celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

In 2002, Emery married Betty Edmunds, a lifelong friend who lost her husband Art six months after Frances passed away. Emery and Betty enjoyed 12 years of traveling and visiting their family. After the loss of Betty, Emery simplified his life, sold his home in Overland Park, and decided to move to Oklahoma to be closer to Dave and Dena. In 2019, Reva married Ronnie Coleman and moved to Oklahoma, and was able to spend much more time with Emery.

Emery was very active in church, serving the Lord all his life. He served as Chairman of the Deacons and Sunday School Director at Swope Park Baptist Church, Sunday School teacher and chairman of the deacons at First Baptist Church in Palatine, IL, and later was very active at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Overland Park, Kansas. Emery traveled extensively, visiting 49 U.S. states, most of Europe, Great Britain, and East Asia.

Emery was blessed with three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and he delighted in sharing his love of the Lord with all of them and with everyone he met.

Emery was preceded in death by his parents, Emery and Grace Evans, his older sisters, Maudine Wilson and Irene Ellis, his older brothers, Paul Evans, Chris Evans, and George Evans, his younger sisters, Marie Burr, Betty Westbrook, Mary Pulley, and his younger brother Larry Evans. He is survived by his son, David, and his wife Dena, his daughter Reva and her husband Ronnie, his three grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Jane Treffer, Ruth DeWendt, and Elizabeth Stephens.

The family would like to thank the staff at Silver Elm Estates in Norman, OK, Amada Senior Care and Bristol Hospice Services, and Emery’s private nurse, Tamie Spring, for their compassionate care and support.

A visitation for family and friends will be at noon, and his celebration of life will be at 1 PM, both at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home in Kansas City, MO, on Saturday, August 30th, 2025. Emery will be laid to rest at Mount Moriah Cemetery immediately following the celebration of life service.

Those who may wish to make a donation in honor of Emery may make a tax deductible donation to The Moore Faith Medical Clinic, a free, faith-based 501c3 nonprofit medical clinic, pharmacy, optometry and dental clinic that helps those in the community without adequate resources. Online donations: www.moorefaithclinic.com. Or Moore Faith Medical Clinic, 224 S. Chestnut Avenue, Moore, OK 73160.