Evans Swann Rutledge

Surrounded by friends and family in Houston, Texas, Evans Swann Rutledge went to be with the Lord on May 20, 2026. Evans was preceded in death by parents William Kimbrough Rutledge and Margaret Smith Rutledge of Abilene, Texas.

Evans was born on March 22, 1947, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1949, the family moved to Abilene to start a family-owned law firm – Rutledge & Rutledge. Abilene was home to Evans throughout grade school and graduated from Cooper High School, class of 1965.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969 and later studied architecture earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree and Master of Architecture degree in 1975 and 1976, all from University of Texas. After graduation, Evans did not go to work as an architect, but in a closely related field, commercial construction. Eventually, Evans chose to follow the family tradition and pursued a career in law.

After graduating from Texas Tech University Law School in 1984 and successfully passing the bar exam on the first attempt, Evens joined Rutledge & Rutledge in Abilene where he served for over thirty years. He maintained his certification to be a municipal judge as needed in the Abilene area.

Evans was a man of deep Christian faith and was a Deacon and an Elder at First Central Presbyterian Church in Abilene, TX for many years. He was also a certified Stephen Minister and completed all seven years of the Bible Study Fellowship courses. He also served in other ministries in the Abilene area such as the Walk to Emmaus ministry and Kairos prison ministry in the Robertson Unit where he also served as a volunteer Prison Chaplain.

After moving to Pearland, Evans was an active member of Shepherd of the Heart Church, served in prison ministry in the Terrel unit, in the missions area of Food From the Heart ministry and was the friendliest church greeter you will likely ever meet.

Evans was loved by many who knew him as a very kind man with a charming smile and warm heart who was generous with his time and talent. Evans also had a fun side. He and Jackie owned Harleys and enjoyed riding to Garner, Fort Davis and Big Bend. They had a Tandem bicycle and road in the 100 mile ride in Wichita Falls for several years. He loved his family and taking trips to the Frio River area, especially Seven Bluff in Concan, TX. He took the family on several other special trips. He loved to see them have fun.

Evans is survived by wife Jackie Parham Rutledge and daughter Rev. Christi Conway (Dan) of Pearland, TX, daughter Merritt Hiles (Jeff) of Austin, TX, brother Kim Rutledge of Seattle, WA, sister Katy Rutledge Ehlo (Mark) of Ardmore, OK, grandsons Adam and David Conway of Pearland, TX, as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Celebration of Life and Resurrection will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 13, at Shepherd of the Heart Church in Pearland, TX.

For livestreaming of the service, see Facebook.com/shepherdoftheheart or youtube.com/@shepherdoftheheartchurch8225.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given in memory of Evans to Shepherd of the Heart Church, 12005 Magnolia Parkway, Pearland, TX 77584.

www.shepherdoftheheart.church