Melva Dawn Evans

Melva Dawn Evans, 94, of Sour Lake, went to be with her Heavenly Father, Monday, August 7, 2023.  She was born on February 27, 1929, in Wisner, Nebraska, to Angeline Odessa Jenik Schulz and Erwin Henry Carl Schulz.

Melva enjoyed growing up on a farm.  She graduated from Sedgwick High School in 1946, where she was the pianist for the school choir.  After graduating from high school, she attended Barnes Business College in Denver, Colorado, from September 1946 until May 1948, taking classes in accounting, typing, shorthand, and court reporting.  She was a member of the Jane Phillips Sorority.

Melva married her pen pal from World War II, Calvin B. Evans of Berwick, Louisiana, on September 28, 1949.  They were married for fifty-six years and had four children.

In 1967 she graduated from Lamar University earning her Real Estate License.  Melva was a self-employed Real Estate and Insurance Agent from 1967 until 1969, when she went to work for Williams Insurance in Beaumont.  In 1970 Melva went to work for the United State Postal Service in Beaumont.  She was the U.S. Postmaster in Nome, Texas from 1973 until 1979 and the Postal Systems Examiner in Beaumont from 1979 until 1981.  She went on to serve as the Accounting Officer from 1981 until her retirement in 1987.

Melva volunteered in many local organizations.  From 1963 until 1970 she was in the Home Demonstrator Club and was a Charter Member and secretary for the Alma Carpenter Library in Sour Lake.  She was a 4H Leader from 1967 until 1968 and Hardin Jefferson High School Band Booster and member of the Hardin Jefferson PTA.  Melva organized blood drives for her community and worked with the Cancer Crusade.  She was a member of the Sour Lake Thicketeers Square Dance Club, Christian Women’s Fellowship, the National Association of Postal Supervisors, and the Red Hats.  Melva and her husband also worked for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Teams from 1994 through 2002.

She loved flowers, birds, cats, and traveling.  Upon retirement she traveled the world with her husband, Calvin, family, and friends, always sharing that Austria was her favorite.  She enjoyed camping throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Survivors include her children, Lodis Eugene Evans and his wife, Mary, of Sour Lake; Dawn Roxanne Ellis and her husband, David, of Kountze; and Calvin Leniel Evans and his wife, Patty, of Rosepine, Louisiana; granddaughters, April Pilgreen and her husband, Jimmy; Desiree´ Martinez; Dyana Stowers and her husband, Derek; Dr. Danielle Zabala and her husband, Kevin; and Kira Connelly and her husband, Greg; Christy Summer and her husband, Michael; Bobbie Jo Rogers; Victoria Holder; and Chance Evans; nineteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; and fur babies, Susie and Arabelle. She is preceded in death by her parents, Angeline and Erwin Schulz; husband, Calvin Benton Evans; son, Gregory DeWitt Evans; grandson, Allen Gregory Evans; and brother, Delvin Schulz.

The family would like to thank Melva’s housekeeper, JoAnna Anderson; her caregivers, June Owens and Diane Arabie; and the team at Harbor Hospice, for all the love and care given to Melva.

A gathering of Melva’s family and friends will be 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  Her funeral service will be 9:00 a.m., Thursday, August 10, 2023, at Broussard’s, with her interment to follow at Rosedale Cemetery, Sour Lake.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, 706 Magnolia Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.