Betty Jean Evans

Betty Jean Bell Evans, of Pensacola, Florida, passed away on August 27th, 2024. She was eighty-nine years young. She was born in Panama City, Florida, on February 25, 1935 to George Houston Bell and Florida Vera Hinson. She was married to John Arlan Evans (CAPT, USNR-R) of Gulfport, Mississippi for 54 years. They had one son, John (Jay) Arlan Evans Jr. Betty came from a long line of Washington County, Florida, families. Both her Mom and Dad were raised at Hinson Cross Roads in the middle of Washington County.. The Hinsons and Bells were distant neighbors and attended the same small country church, Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, where her Mother is buried in the church cemetery. Her Father is buried nearby in Hard Labor Cemetery. Betty attended school in Lynn Haven, Panama City and Pensacola, Florida. When the family moved to North Alabama she attended school in Sylacauga and was a cheerleader at Childersberg High School. When the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, she graduated from Andrew Jackson High School. After high school, Betty attended St Luke's Hospital Nursing School where she graduated with an RN degree.. After Nursing school, Betty met the love of her life, a young sailor who was stationed on an aircraft carrier at Mayport Naval Station. They were married in a civil ceremony in Jacksonville in 1957. John and Betty initially moved to Gainesville, Florida, where John completed requirements for a BA degree. They then moved to Oxford, Mississippi, where John completed law school with a J.D. Degree. John opened a law practice in Gulfport, MS and they remained there for a number of years. Later, after Camille hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast, they moved to Dover, Delaware. John worked for the Department of Defense as a Contract Specialist at Dover Air Force Base. Betty enjoyed interior design while there and later returned to school and qualified as a Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Other postings included the Panama Canal Zone, which was a great highlight with many creature comforts and visits from Pop and Grandma Red. Bahrain and Orlando were later assignments as John taught Maritime Law. They initially retired to Orlando, Florida, where Betty's requirements were a pool and a good library! They moved to Azalea Trace in Pensacola in 2005. While at Azalea Trace, they enjoyed a full social life with many activities and with so many wonderful friends. John was right at home with many Navy veterans wherever they resided in the complex. Special meals with family accompanied by piano was always a treat as was Happy Hour. Betty was truly a unique person. She was kind, witty, funny and above all her own person. She loved to read, travel, and visit with family and friends. She was that rare person who made you feel you were the only person in the world when she was listening to you. She was loved and loved in turn. Betty was predeceased by her mother, Florida Vera Hinson; her Father, George Houston Bell; her husband, John Arlan Evans; her son, John Arlan Evans, Jr; her step-mother, Mazie Eubanks Bell; and her step-brother, Jesse Clifton Sawyer. Also predeceased by special cousin from childhood, Pat Parish. Betty is survived by her step-brother, John Curtis Sawyer (Sara) of Pensacola, cousins Janice Dorch Porter (Jim) of Molino; Gene Dorch (Joie) of Tampa, Florida ; L.C. Parish (Val) of Chipley, Florida; Bobby Bell (Bonnie) of Port St Joe, Florida; Tobatha McClendon Davis of Chipley, Florida; Abby Lee, of Pensacola; numerous nieces, nephews, and distant cousins. Visitation will be held at the chapel at Azalea Trace at 10 am on Friday, September 6. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Betty can be made to Emerald Coast Hospice.

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Betty Jean Evans

February 25, 1935 - August 27, 2024