Ernesteen B. Evans

Ernesteen Beneta Evans, 92, went home to be with the Lord, in the comfort of her home, after a brief illness, on Friday, December 18, 2020. She was born on February 18, 1928 in Granite City, Illinois to the late Ernest and Georgia Adelaide “Addie” Hughes, and was the fourth of five daughters.

Ernesteen “Ernie” attended and graduated from Central High School in St. Louis, Missouri in 1946. At that time, she was an active member of Fourth Baptist Church in St. Louis, Missouri where she met her future husband, James Evans. On June 8, 1948 they were married, by Rev. Oliver Shanks, and were married for 72 years until her death.

Ernie and Jim lived in Chicago for the first years of their marriage, while Jim attended electronics school, but eventually moved back to the St. Louis area, where their family grew to include two daughters.

In 1980, Ernie and Jim moved to Salina, Kansas for Jim’s job, and stayed there for 24 years. During that time, Ernie was employed as a clerk for Western Auto, and retired in 1989.

While living in Salina, Ernie was very active in volunteering her time to a variety of organizations, including the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, driving people to and from their doctor appointments. She also served at the Little House Adult Learning Center, helping clients prepare for their general equivalency diplomas.

While in Salina, Ernie spent much of her time volunteering with the Salina Rescue Mission, where she served as the president of the Rescue Mission Auxiliary. In 1996, she won the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Service Award.

In 2004, after their retirement, Ernie and Jim moved to Kansas City to be closer to their daughter, Barb.  They became members of the Leawood Baptist Church.

A talented seamstress, Ernie enjoyed sewing and using her talents to create a variety of props for area theater productions, doll clothes for her granddaughter, as well as clothing for her grandsons. She was also an avid letter writer, corresponding to a long list of friends and shut-ins she knew.

Ernie leaves behind her husband, Jim Evans, two daughters, Kathy (Gary) G’Sell, High Ridge, MO, Barb (Chris) Nichols, Leawood, KS, and four grandchildren, Jamie G’Sell, Jeffrey G’Sell, Stephen (Kathryn) Nichols, Evan Nichols, and one sister, Shirley “Jo” Dippel. Her three older sisters, Blanche Hughes, Georgia Hickman and Ruth Pounds are with the Lord.

Ernie will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend. The family asks that memorials be to Leawood Baptist Church 8200 State Line Leawood, KS 66206.

Ernie will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin and friend. The family asks that memorials be to Leawood Baptist Church 8200 State Line Leawood, KS 66206.