Rev. James O. Evans Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Carencro - Rev. James O. Evans concluded his earthly ministry of the Gospel on Feb. 28, 2022. He was born in Ruston, LA Jan. 27, 1925, one of six sons of Walter Scott Evans and Nina Riser Evans. After graduating from Ouachita Parish High, he served honorably as a Staff Sargent in the US Army in World War II as a paratrooper in both the 82nd and 101st Airborne. He was married to Dorothy Jordan for 64 years until her death in 2009. After graduating from La. Tech, James taught “On the Farm Training” to adults before becoming a welder in the defense industry. In 1955 he entered the ministry to serve four churches near Dawsonville, Georgia, while earning a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He was ordained a deacon in the Louisiana (state) Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1956, and an elder in 1959. He served congregations in Louisiana: Mangham, St. Mark’s (Monroe), St. Bernard-Arabi (Chalmette), Springhill, St. Luke’s (New Orleans), McGuire (West Monroe), and Wesley Chapel (Ruston). He recently served as supply pastor for Port Barre UMC. While serving as a full-time pastor, he was volunteer Youth Coordinator for the Annual Conference for several years. He chaired the New Orleans District Council on Ministries. As chair of the Conference Board of Church and Society he addressed crucial social issues and mentored candidates for the ministry. He was a delegate to the World Methodist Council in Hawaii in 1981. James loved God’s good earth. He and his wife Dorothy retired to family property in Ruston in 1988 and immediately cleared and cultivated 20 acres to establish Evans Eden Fruit Farm. They grew and sold peaches, grapes, mayhaws, as well as landscape and home décor potted plants. His green thumb is legendary. This commercial enterprise delighted them for 23 years and James never forgot the glory of rolling acres of peach blossoms in the spring. He began Epiphany Ministry at Swanson Youth Centers in Tallulah and Monroe and was spiritual director for 65 three-day weekend retreats there and for Kairos Prison Ministry at Winn Prison in Winnfield. He and Dorothy made gifts to endow both of these ministries as well as financed construction of the Evans Eden Bunkhouse at the Wesley Center for Spiritual Renewal in Woodworth, LA. He served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in DeRidder and in Lafayette, and in 2014 was Louisiana Advocate of the Year. In retirement he continued to teach Disciple Bible Study and Sunday school at Northwood UMC. Rev. Evans is survived by his children: Dr. Marilyn Whitley (Steve Schaffer) of Brentwood, TN, Jim H. Evans (Kathy) of Cedar Park, TX, and Rev. Dr. Wayne Evans (Renee) of Carencro, LA.; as well as his 7 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Jordan Evans; his parents, Walter Scott Evans and Nina Riser Evans Keeton; and his grandson Robert M. McConnell, Jr. The family would like to thank Traditions Hospice and many compassionate caregivers for their faithful service to James and our family. What we do for ourselves, dies with us, but what we do for others lives on. His was a life well lived. A Memorial Service will be held at Northwood United Methodist Church, 4530 Moss St., Lafayette, LA 70507 on Friday Mar. 4 at 10 AM with visitation afterwards. A Celebration of Life will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, 3401 N. Trenton St., Ruston, LA 70520 on Sunday March 6 at 3 PM with visitation at 2 PM and after the service. Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 West Lafayette St., Maurice, LA. 70555, (337) 740-3123, is in charge of Cremation arrangements.

Rev. James O. Evans

January 27, 1925 - February 28, 2022