Shirley Marie Evans passed away on October 26, 2025 at the age of 92, at St. Luke’s Nursing Center, Carthage. She was born on December 14, 1932, south of Carthage, Missouri, the daughter of John Edward and Kathryn (Williams) Hoofnagle.
She attended Erie School and graduated from Sarcoxie High School in 1950 and then attended Joplin Junior College for two years. She married Ernest S. Evans, Jr. on June 3, 1951. She taught all eight grades at Forest Mill School and the upper grades at La Grange School in Jasper County, Missouri, and fifth grade at Eugene Field School in Carthage. She then worked for thirty years in the Carthage School District with the health nurse as the health clerk. She also worked some summers at Ozarkland Gift Shop at Fidelity.
She was raised in and was a member of the Center Church of Christ. She was currently a member at the Carthage Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest; and two brothers, Robert Hoofnagle and Richard Hoofnagle. She is survived by two sons, Steve Evans, Columbia, Missouri, and Jim Evans, Carthage, Missouri; and a brother, Russell Hoofnagle, Flippin, Arkansas.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Knell Mortuary. Burial will immediately follow in the Park Cemetery, Carthage, Missouri. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 pm Wednesday, October, 29, 2025 at Knell Mortuary. The family suggests memorial contributions to Missouri Bible Institute, for training of ministers, or the Carthage Humane Society, in care of Knell Mortuary. Online condolences may be expressed through www.knellmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the Knell Mortuary.
