Nancy Evans

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nancy Barker Evans on Monday, February 11, 2019 at Duke University Medical Center. A Danville native, Nancy was born on March 17, 1931, a St. Patrick’s Day baby. She was the only child of Edwin Clark Barker and Doris Collie Barker. On February 17, 1951 she married, Fred L. Evans, Jr. who recently passed away on January 9, 2019. They met in the first grade and became forever sweethearts in the fifth grade. They were best friends and partners and enjoyed a long and happy life together. Sunday would have been their 68th anniversary. Nancy is survived by her two children, David L. Evans of Orlando, Florida and Martha E. Ray and husband, Newton H. Ray, Jr. of Danville. She had five grandchildren, Ann Stuart Ray and fiancé Christopher Zakhary of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Meredith Ray of Charlotte, North Carolina, Leslie Evans of Orlando, Florida, Newton H. Ray, III of Raleigh, North Carolina and Dorian Evans Gonzalez and husband, Andrew Gonzalez of Tallahassee, Florida. Nancy was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker. She decided to go to work for the Danville School System once her children were older, that way she could have the same hours and holidays as her children. She started her career at Robert E. Lee Jr. High School as a secretary and later moved to Westmoreland Middle School. She retired in 1992 as the Personnel Secretary for the Danville School Board Central Office. She took great pride in her many years of work with the school system. She loved nothing more than helping the teachers with their contracts and working with them to keep up with their continuing education hours and recertifications. She had a wealth of knowledge that many people tapped into for years after she retired. Nancy loved to cook and was an expert at it. She loved nothing more than sharing, testing and critiquing a recipe. Her family and friends loved nothing more than tasting and enjoying. They will definitely miss her caramel cakes and “Nannie’s” cookies. She was known for her breadmaking as well and we dare not lose her bread starter. It was well known that Monday was family dinner night at their house, which was a tradition for over thirty some years. Nancy always made it known that anyone was welcome, but you’d better not call on Mondays at 6:00. She and Fred loved to entertain, especially at their lake house at Wildwood Lake in Caswell County, North Carolina. Fourth of July was their favorite and has never been the same since they retired from it. The church was always an important part of her life. She was very involved in the Pittsylvania Baptist Association and served on the Board of the State and Local Baptist Women’s Missionary Union in the early years. She later became involved in various positions with the United Methodist Women and the Evangelism Committee at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church. As an ardent knitter, she was active in the organization of The Knitting Group at Mount Vernon and she was the organizer and leader of the Mount Vernon Prayer Chain until her passing. Even though she was no longer able to attend services, she maintained her interest in her church and its members and missions. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 14, 2019 at Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, 107 West Main Street in Danville, with a private burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that consideration for donations be made to Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, the Danville Lifesaving Crew or a charity of your choice. The family will be receiving friends and family at the residence of Newton and Martha Ray.