Buddy Evans

(From Buchanan Funeral Home)

Samuel Joe “Buddy” Evans, age 71, of Hollister, MO, formerly of Monett, MO, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 at his residence.

Sam was born on December 17, 1943 in Aurora, MO, the son of Cornell and Sammy Evans, of Springfield, MO.

He graduated from Monett High School in 1962 and then attended SMS and graduated from there in May of 1966. Having finished his classes the previous December, he took his first teaching position in Greenfield, MO to finish out the year. After school was out, he joined the National Teacher Corps and worked with underprivileged Appalachian children in Kentucky until the following school year when he began teaching in Monett. After teaching in Monett for four years, Parsons, KS and Neosho, MO, Buddy took a position at the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS as a Recreation Specialist. While there, he sustained an injury and was unable to continue working there. Buddy returned to the education field and taught in Granby, MO, Pierce City, MO and later in Branson, MO.

In December on 1967 in Monett, Buddy and Mary Lee Halsey, his high school sweetheart, were united in marriage. They were blessed with each others love for forty-seven years.

Buddy is survived by his wife, Mary Lee, of the home; one daughter, Valery Richard, of Hollister; one grandson, Christopher Chatterton, of Hollister; one granddaughter, Mercedes Richards, of Springfield; his mother, Sammy Evans, of Springfield; one sister, Dian House, and husband David, of Springfield; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Cornell Evans.

Funeral services for Mr. Evans will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2015 at the Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett. Reverend Tony Martin will officiate. Interment will be in the Bethel Cemetery, south of Monett. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until service time on Monday at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, MO.