Priscilla Evans

Priscilla Barnard Evans, age 80, of Lindale, Texas was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 28th, 2023 in Tyler, Texas. She was the wife of the late Robert Hopkins Evans, to whom she was married for 57 years. Her memorial service will be held at Hideaway Lake Community Church in Hideaway, Texas on September 16, 2023 at 10:00am, as a combined memorial service for both Priscilla and Bob Evans. Priscilla was born November 9, 1942 in Mount Pleasant, Texas. She was blessed to grow up surrounded by her large extended family and childhood friends. After graduating in 1961, Priscilla completed her business degree and was a leader in the Chi Omega sorority at East Texas State University. In 1964, she graduated a year early and was hired as personal secretary to oil tycoon and billionaire, H.L. Hunt. Working in Dallas, Texas, she met the love of her life, Bob Evans, when set up on a blind date. “Bobby”, as she like to call him, and Priscilla married in May 1966. Priscilla relocated with Bob to El Paso and Oklahoma City before settling down in Dallas for almost thirty years to raise their children. When Priscilla returned to work, she made a positive impact teaching middle schoolers for years at Richardson Junior High in Richardson, Texas. In retirement, Priscilla chose to move a little closer to her East Texas roots in Hideaway, Texas, enjoying the community with great friends, family, and grandchildren for almost twenty years. Priscilla was the most fun-loving, energetic, wife and mom, who went above and beyond for her family. Early on, her passions included her faith, chauffeuring and cheering on her kids, volunteering, traveling, and being actively involved with her ladies' Bridge group. Priscilla prioritized staying involved in a home church and sharing her faith with her children. Her daughters have fond memories of her reciting Psalms and praying together every night. This carried through to her grandchildren when she had the opportunity to bring her grandson, Ethan, to Bible Study Fellowship in Dallas. Priscilla made sure that her girls had opportunities to participate in as many activities and unique experiences as their hearts desired. Whether it was baton twirling, Broadway shows, arts and crafts shows, local library events, dance lessons, cheerleading, gymnastics, or music lessons, Priscilla gave her two daughters a terrific childhood with endless opportunities. Priscilla also created family traditions spending several summers making lasting memories in Hot Springs, AR, South Padre, Galveston, and Breckenridge, CO. In fact, Priscilla loved traveling, which included visiting Thailand, Hong Kong, Germany, England, France, Italy, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas and more. Last but not least, Priscilla loved being part of her Bridge group for over 30 years. The group became a second family throughout life with weekend getaways, couples nights, and slumber parties. In Hideaway, Priscilla participated in the “Saints Alive” Sunday School class, the Hideaway Dinner and Dance club, park parties, Kiwanis, Mahjong, Dominoes, volunteered in the nursery at church, and was a dedicated member of Bible Study Fellowship in Tyler for years. She treasured and mastered her role as “Mimi”. She planned itineraries, trips, games, extended family gathering and loved to host her grandchildren. Priscilla took all her grandkids to Vacation Bible School in Hideaway. When her health failed her the last couple of years she still loved to enjoy a good British mystery and an ice cream in the evenings as her favorite “date night”. She still shared daily devotionals with her daughters, enjoyed her Hideaway Lake Community church services online, and had Bob drive her to “Burgers and Babes” to celebrate birthdays with the bridge ladies. Priscilla was preceded in death by her parents Marion Jaggers Barnard and Med (Cody) Barnard. She is survived by her two daughters Paige Leigh Evans Barriga and her husband Raul Barriga of Missouri City, Texas and Leslie Virginia Hemby and her husband Shane Hemby of Plano, Texas; her five grandchildren from oldest to youngest Abigail Barriga, Avery Barriga, Ethan Hemby, Elise Hemby, and Addison Barriga; also her sister Marianne Havron and husband Dana Havron of Marshall, Texas; and her brother William Barnard and husband Jeff Ellis of Sonoma, California; two nieces Stephanie Trietsch and her husband Ed Trietsch of Fayetteville, Georgia and Shannon Jordan and her husband Brandon Jordan of Springtown, Texas along with their families and many cousins and other family members. Bob and Priscilla were longtime active members of the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church while living in Dallas and they have chosen to remain there following their celebrations of life at the Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church Columbarium. Please send floral arrangements to Hideaway Lake Community Church in Hideaway, Texas.

Priscilla Evans

November 9, 1942 - July 28, 2023