Jake Evans went to be with the Lord on March 26, 2001, at 10:10 PM.

Jake was born January 30, 1912 in Cherrymound/Bell, Texas to Jacob Purley Evans and Mattie Chesser Evans. He married Pauline Hayes on October 29, 1932, in Terral, Oklahoma. He served in the Merchant Marine during World War II.

Jake was a 33rd Mason and had been an active member of the local chapter of the Masons and Eastern Star. He was also a Shriner. He had also served as the Education Coordinator for Jefferson County for the Masonic Scholarship Program for many years.

Jake farmed and ranched in the Terral and Ryan area most of his life. He had a great sense of humor and loved playing pranks on others. He leaves many cherished memories with many who visited the ranch over the years to hunt and fish or attend one of his many fish fries in the pecan grove in the river bottom or participated in many of the cattle drives throughout the years.

Jake was preceded in death by: his wife Pauline Evans and an infant daughter, Nova Janey Evans; two sisters - Laura Purley Evans Lemons and Betty Evans; three brothers - Robert (Bob) John Evans, Henry Lee Evans, and Hugh Evans; and his parents.

Jake is survived by loved ones: Pamela Parrish and her husband Ted and her daughter Mendi Branch, who Jake claimed as his granddaughter; one sister, Bill Evans Fuller; and one brother, Watson Evans; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Saturday, March 31, 2001, at 1:30 PM, at the First Baptist Church in Ryan with Don Goin and Walter Haynie officiating. Burial was in the Ryan Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home of Ryan.