Betty Sue Evans

Betty Sue Evans, age 86, resident of Panama City, Florida died January 12, 2013. Graveside services will be 11:00 am Friday, January 18 at Greenwood Cemetery in Florala, Alabama. A memorial service will be 2:00 pm Saturday January 26 at Delwood Estates Club House, 1025 W 19th Street, Panama City.
Ms Evans is preceded in death by her parents, John Henry and Vera Lee Griffin Evans; her sisters, Verna Mae Evans Clepper, Velma Lee Evans, Mary Louise Evans Howell, Sybil Eugenia Evans Meredith; and one brother, John Truman Evans. She is survived by her long time close friend, Thelma Bruce and thirteen nieces and nephews: L. D. Clepper, Mary Lee Clepper Bergeron, Jean Evans Hofstad, John Truman Evans, Jr., Becky Evans Cassady, Henry Evans, Joy Evans Woodham, Bob Meredith, Barbara Meredith Nichols, Katy Sue Meredith Wells, Pam Meredith Brannon, Cindy Meredith Thompson, Velma Howell Caviness, and many, many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Betty Sue was born in Florala, Alabama, on January 11, 1927. She was the sixth child of John Henry and Vera Lee Griffin Evans. She had four sisters and one brother, all older than she. In fact, her nearest sibling was ten years older than Betty Sue. Needless to say she was the favorite of the family.
Her first twelve years of school were spent in Florala, her home town. After graduating from Florala High School she entered Judson College in Marion, Alabama. She later transferred to Montevallo College, now University of Montevallo, where she graduated with a degree in Social Studies. After Betty Sue's first year of teaching, she decided to enter graduate school at Peabody College in Nashville, TN. Her next adventure in teaching was spent on Gunter Mountain at the Grant Daughters of the American Revolution School in Alabama. Along with her duties as a teacher she was required to teach a Sunday School Class and help with rummage sales monthly. Soon Betty Sue found her niche in Panama City, Florida. There she taught at Everett Junior High as a classroom teacher, a special education teacher, and a guidance counselor. When Rutherford High School was built, she was selected as a member of the founding faculty. Rutherford was her heart and soul for many years. Later in her career, Betty Sue transferred to Bay High School until she retired. At Rutherford and Bay High she served as social studies department chairperson. Her legacy as a dedicated educator brought her the love and respect of many faculty members and students. Some of her greatest pleasures were encountering former students, hearing them reminisce about their days in Ms Evans' classroom and having them update her on their life quests. Today, she remains a most important educational influence in her students' lives.
Along with teaching, Betty Sue's found great pleasure in being a daughter, sister and aunt. After retiring she became involved in the world of genealogy and travel. She eventually compiled the results of her research into treasured notebooks for each of her nieces and nephews.
In addition to being an outstanding teacher and successful genealogical researcher, she was a member of the Bay County Retired Educators, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century.
The family welcomes flowers c/o Evans Family (501 3rd Street, Florala, Alabama) or donations made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Wilson Funeral Home