James "Kelly" Evans

Dec. 20, 1933 – June 2, 2022

Kelly was born to Lacy Robbins Evans and Kelly Lamar Evans, in Townson, MS, the youngest of 9 children.  He lost his Dad at 8 years old.  He graduated from high school in DeKalb, MS, as an All American in football, basketball and baseball.  He attended Mississippi State and was injured playing football.  He was drafted into the Army and served in Germany, moving to Ft. Worth in 1953, where his Mother was. He worked at 7-UP Bottling Company for 19 years, and in l972 he started Evans Ornamental Iron.  He flourished at this because of his dedication and creativity, retiring in 2004 at 72.

Kelly was a member of Birchman Baptist Church and married La'Rue' Chambers in 1976.  They had Leah in 1978.  Kelly was pre-deceased by Leah in 1998 at age 20, and son Kirk in 2016 at age 53.

At age 42 Kelly took up golf and played at Ridglea Country Club, becoming Senior Champion one year.  He was also featured in the Star Telegram for a certified hole-n-one at Z Boaz.   He loved road trips and traveled to 46 states in the last 6 years.

The most important thing in Kelly's life was his faith, family and the Bible.  He spent his last years writing poems about his life, his faith in God and many, many poems to Leah.  He was dearly loved by his family, friends and is survived by wife Rue, sisters-n-law Sue Mallory,  Ann Hancock, 2 grand daughters and 5 great grand children.   Kelly so loved his many nieces and nephews.

Graveside Service

Greenwood Cemetery

White Settlement Rd

Tuesday, June 7, 2022, 1:30p