Phyllis C. (Ball) Evans' Obituary
Lieutenant Colonel Phyllis Cornelia Ball Evans died Sunday afternoon, September 20, 2015 at Candle Light Cove Assisted living, in Easton, Maryland. Born July 19, 1929 in Neavitt, MD, she was the daughter of the late Cooper Godwin Ball and Beatrice Bradshaw Ball.
After graduating from St. Michaels High School in 1946, Phyllis worked in Easton for Shannahan and Wrightson as a secretary and bookkeeper. Saving her funds she was able to continue her education at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, graduating in 1955 as a Registered Nurse. She then resumed her studies at Johns Hopkins University taking some advanced degree courses. Next she worked for the Veterans Administration at Fort Howard Hospital for several years, living on the campus of the hospital, and becoming the Chief Operating Nurse. Phyllis then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959. She did her basic training at Andrews Air Force Base, and was stationed at the Air Force Base in Rapid City, SD, in 1961, where she met her future husband Hubert Gene Evans. The couple traveled to Neavitt to marry at Phyllis’ home church, the Neavitt Methodist Church, on December 16, 1962. Soon after, Mrs. Evans was transferred to Nouasseur Air Base near Casablanca, Morocco in Africa. Mr. Evans joined her six months later, and while overseas, they traveled extensively.
Later, they were stationed at Loring Air Force Base in Maine, and the Air Force Base in Louisiana. In 1969 Mr. Evans retired from the military, and the couple returned to Neavitt. However, Phyllis remained in the AF Reserves and continued to work at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, and Air Bases in Florida and Arizona, finally retiring in 1981. She also volunteered as a surgical nurse at Memorial Hospital, Easton.
Besides her husband H. Gene Evans, she is survived by three nephews Tommy Blake, Jr. of Neavitt, MD, Rodney Blake of Trophy Club, TX, and Ralph Brown of Bozman, MD; a niece Janet Brown Hammed of Bozman, MD, and a sister-in-law Sandra Hovey of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her two sisters Mary Louise Ball Brown and Lazetta Mae Ball Blake. Additionally, she is survived by many great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.
After returning to Neavitt, Phyllis devoted her life, time and talents to her family, community, and the little white Methodist Church in Neavitt. She was a Sunday school and Bible school teacher and was loved by the children in Neavitt. And her love overflowed. She deeply loved children and was like an older sister and mother to her niece and nephews. She ministered to the sick and elderly in the community making home visits, providing care, food, and donations to those in need. Family and friends will always remember a dear, sweet woman for her contributions and service to our country and community, and for her love for the Lord. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday September 23rd at the Neavitt United Methodist Church, in Neavitt, MD. Where a visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00AM. Officiating will be the Reverend John W. Moore. Interment will be at the Neavitt cemetery. The family asks that donations be made to the Neavitt United Methodist Church. Services are being provided by Ostrowski Funeral Home, 312 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels, MD.
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