Dorothy Evans

Dorothy Fairbanks Evans, 89, of Independence, MO, died at the home of her son and daughter-in-law on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, following a brief illness. Born to J. Glenn and Vera (Hartshorn) Fairbanks in Chicago, IL on May 10, 1918, she grew up in Independence, graduated from William Chrisman High School and attended the University of Kansas City. In 1941, she married J. Cedric Evans, and relocated to his hometown of St. Louis, where they raised their two sons, John F. Evans and Joseph C. Evans, Jr., before returning to Independence in 1974. She is survived by her sons, daughter-in-law Mary Alice Evans, grandchildren Shaun Evans, Kara Hunt, Claire Kenny, and Jonathan Evans, great-granddaughter Sophia Hunt, beloved sisters Jane Mallett and twin Eleaner Stuart, and brother-in-law J.C. Stuart. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1993. A devoted member and Elder of the Community of Christ Church, she served for several years as a member of the church’s General Council of Women and ministered in numerous women’s retreats and conferences throughout the country. Her deep faith and concern for others guided her lifelong service to her community. Both in St. Louis and Independence, she worked with children who had reading disabilities. During her term as president of the St. Louis chapter of Church Women United she organized the city’s first Meals-on-Wheels program. After moving to Independence, she enlisted Church Women United in developing its first city-wide Meals-on-Wheels program, for which she continued to work as a volunteer for almost thirty years. Her work with Independence Meals-on-Wheels was closely tied to her years of service on the Independence Sanitarium and Hospital Board of Directors. In 2006, she was honored for ten years of volunteer service with the Independence School District Youth Friends program, and until recently served as museum docent at the Community of Christ Temple. Those of us who were so blessed to have Dorothy Evans in our lives struggle to imagine the world without her. Her loving spirit and grace brought enormous joy and comfort to all who knew her, and formed the foundation of the generosity and moral courage that will continue, for all of us, to serve as an example of life best-lived. Our greatest consolations are these powerful legacies of faith and goodness, our knowledge that her exceptional life enabled her to face her final illness with strength and peace, and our deep belief that she is now blessed with the eternal life for which her earthly life was merely a preparation. The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff of St. Luke’s Hospice, in particular to Tricia Brashear, for her care, her kindness and her ministry.
A service in celebration of her life will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2007 at the Stone Church. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2007 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Independence Meals-on-Wheels, Independence Youth Friends or St. Luke’s Hospice