Carroll B Evans

Carroll B. Evans, 88, of Clinton, passed away on Thursday, July 29, 2010, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Clinton, Arkansas, on December 27, 1921, to the late Joel Burton and Thora Smith Evans. C.B., as he was known to his friends, attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville during the school term of 1939-40. He worked in various avocations prior to World War II including delivery of goods and services, and banking. As World War II began with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he operated heavy equipment and helped build military airport auxiliary training fields at Pocahontas and Biggurs, Arkansas. Still intent on helping with the war effort, C.B. traveled to the Bay area of California and worked as a welder, building liberty ships until he was inducted into the U. S. Army on February 25, 1944. Most of his training took place in Louisiana (New Orleans area), and Florida. He left the U. S. for the European theater in November, 1944, on the original Queen Elizabeth and enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner in the mid-Atlantic. Having arrived at night and then traveling by train to Southampton, England, he kept himself awake on the train by watching for the explosion of "Buzz" bombs fired from Germany. From England, he was deployed to Belgium and then France. While awaiting deployment to the South Pacific the atomic bombs hit Japan and the war was over for him. After World War II, he opened Evans Café. He married the former Frances Jean Woodell, his wife of 63 years, on September 14, 1947. After a couple of years, they sold the cafe and purchased Evans Laundry and then Evans Magic Wash, which they operated until 2001. He became employed by the Arkansas State Police Weight Division in 1957, just in time to assist the State Police, and then Governor Orville Faubus, with security during the riots at Central High School. He was later assigned to the Driver Examining Section and became chief examiner for the entire division prior to being reassigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. He served in this division, in charge of criminal investigation for the northwest quarter of Arkansas, until his retirement in January of 1986. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jack Howard Evans; and an infant daughter, Linda Gail Evans. Survivors include his wife, Frances, of Clinton; five sons: James (Jim) Evans and wife Jayne; Joe Evans and wife Carole; Jerry Evans and wife Marsha, all of Clinton; Jack Evans and wife Shon of Carlisle; John Evans and wife Barbara of Hendersonville, Tennessee; and one daughter, Jeannie Moore and husband Tracy, of Conway. He was "Papa" to 15 grandchildren: Angela Marshall (husband Chris), Carmen Henderson (husband Mark), Jayme Brown (husband Lance), Nancy Evans, Rhonda Evans, Robert Evans, Neeley Parks (husband Brent), Lindsey Allmon, Burton Evans (wife Glenda), Clark Evans, Jim Rose (wife Beth), Alisha Evans, Mallory Evans, Shannon Busby (husband Brian), Whitney Moore; and 17 great-grandchildren: Dustin Williams, Parker Williams, Addyson Marshall, Emersyn Marshall, Haley Kinggard, Colby Kinggard, Sydney Brown, Jerod Brown, Dylan Evans, Johnny Parks, Anna Parks, Kerrigan Evans, Jana Evans, Alexis Atwell, Landon Rose, Keegan Rose, and Emma Busby; and one step-great-grandchild, Alex Miles. Funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 2, at Friendship Baptist Church in Clinton with David Holcomb officiating. Burial will follow at Evans Cemetery, located on the family farm on Highway 16 West in Clinton. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 1, at Friendship Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be James (Jim) Evans, Joe Evans, John Evans, Jack Evans, Jerry Evans, and Tracy Moore. Honorary pallbearers will be officers and retirees of the Arkansas State Police. The family wishes to thank special friends Alma and Diane, and the Van Buren County Hospice staff for the excellent care given during his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Van Buren County Hospice or the charity of your choice.