Mary Octavia Langley Evans

MARY OOCTAVIA LANGLEY EVANS passed away Dec 22nd at home surrounded by her adoring family as the snow began to fall. Mary joined her devoted husband of 68 years, Bobby Glen Evans LTC USA Ret., father Allie Bluford Langley and mother Gladys Octavia Bradley, as well as her stepfather E.L. Givens. Her son, Dr. Matthew Lee Evans, MD and her brothers Allie B. Langley and Terrell Wesley Langley have welcomed her to the arms of the Lord. She is survived by her son, Michael Glenn Evans (Angie), her daughter Gladys "Gae" Ann Hays (Chuck), granddaughters, Sterling Reep (Daniel), Mary Katherine Evans (Jon), Sara Lewis, Michelle Blake (Clint), Mallory Roark (Spencer), Madison Rademacher (Carver), and grandson "John" Trevor Thornton, Charlie Hays (Miranda), Clint Hays (Emily), great-grandchildren Carter Hays, Mary Frances Hays, Olivia, Magnolia, and Elyssia Reep, Camryn and Remy Roark, and Tyler Pinney. She is also survived by her brothers, Elmer Givens, Jerry Givens (Janis), and sister, Brenda Law (Donald) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Mary was known by many names, which included nick names such as Peggy, given by her mother, "Steady Peggy", for her fortitude even as a child, and affectionately named Nina by her grandchildren. Mary grew up in Smackover and later graduated from Henderson State University, where she met her late husband, Bob. She majored in Home Economics and later attained her Master's in Special Education. She taught Home Economics and Special Education at various schools, including Smackover and Norphlet, joining Delta Kappa Gamma upon retirement. She was a member of the Smackover First Baptist Church and was an active member of the Womens Missionary Union (WMU). She and Bob served the Lord faithfully through visitations to the sick and the bereaved, feeding those in need, giving over and above tithes and offerings, and donating to numerous charities. Mary also traveled with the Medical Mission Team to minister to the people of Gualcince, Honduras. Mary was the matriarch to her extended family. She faithfully attended her children and grandchildren's many events and her home was a place of refuge and family gatherings. She lavished affection, sewed many garments, and prepared extraordinary feasts. The grandchildren were given space to play and everyone felt "at home" with Nina. When she wasn't serving others, she could often be found tucked away in her room quietly praying and reading her Bible devotionals. She lifted many up in prayer and continued to attend worship services and have devotionals with her grandchildren by Zoom until she was called Home. As a military wife, Mary experienced travel over the years as well as raising a family while her husband was called away to Vietnam. During that time, Mary resided in Smackover, Ark., and at many forts and cities, such as Ft. Bragg, N.C., Ft. Jackson, S.C., Munich, Germany, Bad Tolz, Germany, Ft. Benning, Ga., MacDill AFB, Fla., Jonesboro, Ark., Ft Leavenworth, Kan., Ft Mc Phearson, Atlanta, Ga., Gunter AFB, Montgomery, Ala., and retired from military service to Smackover. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the Women's Missionary Union WMU.com. Condolences for the Evans family may be shared at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.