Terri Cecilia Evans

Terri Cecilia Evans, 75 of South Arkansas, a Texas native who always kept her home state and her beloved siblings close to her heart, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026. A devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Terri was the absolute heartbeat of her family, known for her quiet grace and generous spirit.

Terri's story began on September 13, 1950, in Dallas, Texas. Born Terri Ceilia Beaty, she was the eldest daughter of B.L. Beaty and Alva Rae Compton. Raised in Garland, Texas, she naturally embraced a protective, nurturing role for her younger siblings.

In April 1975, Terri married the love of her life, Richard Evans. Their beautiful and dedicated marriage spanned 51 years. In 1982, they moved to South Arkansas, settling on the Evans family land where Terri spent the rest of her days, beautifully weaving her life into its rich legacy.

Terri possessed a remarkable work ethic. She spent time working at Texas Instruments in Dallas, and later dedicated 27 years to Arby's, serving as Store Manager until transitioning to part-time payroll and administrative duties before her retirement in 2015.

Her true life's work, however, was her family. Having stepped into motherhood early, Terri spent virtually her entire adult life devoted to raising and loving her boys. She was the steady pillar of her home, loving her family through quiet daily devotion. She was a woman of faith and active fellowship, baptized at Maple Avenue Baptist Church in 1999, where she remained a devoted member and spent years serving globally through Operation Christmas Child.

To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she was simply and affectionately "Grandma". She was their ultimate champion, traveling near and far to cheer them on at baseball games, band trips, graduations, and choir events, never missing a milestone.

Terri is survived by her devoted husband, Richard Evans; her three sons, Chad Petroff (Traci), James Petroff (Kim), and Chance Evans (Cary); her sisters Cindy Davis (Robert Sr.), Mandy Tibbits (Chris), and Amy Poindexter (Mitch); her grandchildren, Quelea Petroff, Haley Petroff Abbott (J.C.), Christina Petroff, Lucas Petroff (Ali), Jackson "Tanner" Evans, Harlee Petroff Tharp (Gabriel), Darius Petroff, Kaysun Vancamp and Parker Evans and her great-grandchildren, Hayden and Hendrix Abbott; and Leah and Cecilia Tharp; and Finley Petroff. Terri also leaves behind several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved brother, Jeffrey Alan Beaty, and a beautiful niece Amie Cristen Tibbits Walker.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00PM, Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at Young's Funeral Directors.

A funeral service to celebrate Terri's life will be held on Wednesday, 7/22/2026 at 9:00 AM at Young's Funeral Home with Pastors Sye Duke & Sean Lupton officiating. Burial will follow in Smackover Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in her honor to Operation Christmas Child. https//samaritanspurse.org/occ

Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com for the Evans family.