Judith Rae Evans

Judith Rae Evans (1943-2016) Judith Rae Evans passed away in Alexandria, Virginia, on Sunday, January 24, 2016, after a long period of declining health. Judy was born on June 28, 1943, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Darwin Eschler and Genee Wangsgaard Evans. When she was three, her father established a dental practice in Smithfield, Utah, and she attended Summit Elementary, Smithfield Junior High, and North Cache High Schools. She graduated from Utah State University with a degree in elementary education, and taught in the Granite School District in Salt Lake City for two years. She moved to Arizona, obtained a Master’s of Education from Arizona State University, and accepted a teaching position in Casa Grande. She also taught for two years in the Department of Defense elementary school in Erlangen, Germany. While in Germany, her hearing deteriorated and she determined that she could no longer function in a classroom setting. She returned to Smithfield and worked as a secretary for the Department of Business at Utah State while undergoing operations to restore her hearing. In 1973, she moved to the Washington DC area to work for the Department of Agriculture in International Training, devising individualized programs for students from Africa, Asia, and South America who came to the United States to study agriculture, a career that spanned 25 years. Though she suffered from a congenital bone disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, and suffered over a dozen fractures during her childhood and teenage years, Judy was determined to live a full and active life. And she did so with purpose and panache until the injuries she sustained in a tragic fall left her disabled and wheelchair-bound five years ago. Judy had wide-ranging interests and talents. She loved music, played the piano, had a lovely singing voice, and enjoyed sharing music with others. As time went on, her beautiful, clear soprano deepened to a mellow tenor, and her continuing hearing loss eventually robbed her of her music. Her skill at cross-stitch and embroidery produced countless beautiful objects which she bestowed upon those she loved. She was fascinated by other cultures and traveled widely, often with one or another of her nieces and nephews as companions. Her work with foreign students brought her additional opportunities to learn about different parts of the world. Judy was a master storyteller and a gifted teacher. Her genuine interest in people and her ability to connect and communicate with both children and adults extended her influence to hundreds of people over her life. Although her siblings provided her with twelve nieces and nephews, she claimed 140 people, born or married into her family and adopted, who call her ‘Aunt Judy’ with great fondness. Judy made learning fun. When one of her nieces complained that studying history was ‘boring’, Judy determined to show her otherwise. The result was a meticulously researched, deftly written manuscript for a young adult novel which chronicled the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings as seen through the eyes of two teenage boys, one Saxon and the other Norman. A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Judy filled many roles in the congregations, teaching children, youth, and adults, inspiring other teachers, and providing music in many church venues. She was one of the first single sisters called as temple workers when the Washington DC temple was built, and she served diligently for many years. Judy is survived by her brother Joseph David (Becky) Evans of Springfield VA, two sisters, Mary Lynn (Frank) Hutchison of Spokane WA and Darla Genee (Jeffrey) Blackmon of Hanover Park IL, and many, many nieces and nephews, both born and adopted. Her parents, a sister-in-law (Tanya) and two brothers, Christen Neil and Robert Bruce, preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 30th, at the Mount Vernon Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2000 George Washington Parkway, Alexandria VA 22308. A viewing will start at 10 am, followed by the service at 11 am. Burial will be in the Smithfield UT City Cemetery on Wednesday, February 3rd at 2 pm. Funeral arrangements are by Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St, Manassas, VA 20110.

Judith Rae Evans

June 28, 1943 - January 24, 2016