Laurie Anne Evans

Laurie Anne Evans of Dallas, Texas, passed away on December 8, 2023, with her loving husband, Phil, by her side. Laurie was born on April 15, 1948, in New York City, and her family moved to Dallas when she was a child. She graduated from Greenhill School in 1965, where she was the youngest in her class and President of the French Club. Over the years, she maintained strong friendships with several members of her class. Laurie went on to graduate from the University of Texas with a psychology degree and received her Master of Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas.

Laurie held several positions in the Dallas Public Library system beginning in the 1970s, and then took a break from libraries to work in healthcare research and education in the Department of Surgery at Baylor University Medical Center. Her first responsibility there was to write a proposal for the facility to participate in a clinical trial utilizing the first breast cancer prevention drug, Tamoxifen. After success there, she moved on to manage the General Surgery Residency program for several years. She then became manager of the Susan G. Komen Breast Center and subsequently the Director of Breast Center Development for Physician Reliance Network.

Following her time at Baylor, she returned to the City of Dallas, where she was promoted to the Director of the Dallas Public Library System in 2004. Her leadership at the Dallas Public Library guided the organization through a period of significant renewal and expansion. The 2006 bond program, the implementation of which she viewed as the major responsibility of her directorship, included new construction/renovation of four buildings and three floors of the J. Erik Jonsson Central library, in addition to land acquisition for 5 new buildings.

Her strong belief that early childhood literacy resulted in the creation of an informed, responsible society drove most of her projects at the Dallas Public Library. She had an uncanny ability to bring large systems together, such as the partnerships with Atmos Energy, expanding access for children’s library materials through a Bookmobile, and with Parkland Hospital, providing a new book for each newborn at Parkland and making laptops available for Parkland patients. Her collaboration with Nancy Nasher and her husband David Haemisegger established the Bookmarks project, a children’s library at NorthPark Center. This was one of the first of its kind in country.

Laurie retired from the City of Dallas in 2010 and spent the next season of her life giving back to the community she loved by serving actively on various boards, including Big Thought, Parkland Health Foundation, Dallas Historical Society, Center for Brain Health Advisory Board, UNT College of Information Leadership, African American Museum, and Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas. Additionally, she was an active member of Charter 100 and the Dallas Assembly.

Laurie’s proudest accomplishment was always her son David, and she received immeasurable joy from her position as “Lolly” to her two granddaughters and to Phil’s two grandchildren, for whom she cared dearly. Spoiling her grandchildren was her favorite pastime. She was exceedingly devoted to her husband, Dr. W. Phil Evans, with whom she enjoyed 23 years of marriage and many miles of travel adventures. Laurie especially loved visiting New York, Maui, Mexico, Italy, Paris and their home in Austin. Laurie’s favorite holiday was Thanksgiving, and she hosted a large gathering of family and friends for over forty years. This event was planned for months in advance and involved the coordination of multiple families and dozens of dishes. Laurie was famously health-conscious and encouraged all of her family to make wise diet choices. However, it was surprising to learn that one of her favorite foods was french fries.

Laurie is best remembered as a redheaded force of nature. She was small in stature, but not in character or conviction. She fiercely loved her family, friends, and causes. Laurie had all the style and class one would expect from a woman born in New York and raised in Dallas. She was well known to be bold and fearless. Laurie made priorities of spending time with family, seeing the world, and living life to the fullest. She was an accomplished professional and philanthropist as well as a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Laurie always thought about the needs of others before she considered herself. Her absence leaves a huge deficit in the lives of many who loved her.

Laurie was predeceased by her parents, Lloyd and Bette Lewins. She is survived by her husband, Dr. W. Phil Evans; her son David Hardaway, his wife Janice, and their two daughters Adelaide and Wilhelmine (Willa); her stepson Chip Evans, his wife Cadie, and their children Sydney and Jack; her stepson Brett Evans and his wife Deanna; and her younger brother Richard Lewins and his children Gracyn, Maya and Guy. Laurie will also be dearly missed by a large roster of friends that she considered family.

A celebration of Laurie’s life will take place on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 2 pm at Temple Emanu-El Stern Chapel, 8500 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, Laurie’s family would appreciate donations in her honor to the Laurie Evans Scholarship Fund at Friends of Dallas Public Library through the following email, [email protected]

Memorial contributions may also be directed to UT Southwestern Medical Center, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, TX 75391-0888 or online at engage.utsouthwestern.edu to support oncology research and care.