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Glenda Evans
BLODGETT, Mo. — Glenda Louise (Rister) Evans, 83, of Blodgett was the daughter of the late Ernie and Edna Rister of Blodgett.
When the roll was called up yonder on April 6, 2020, Glenda was there!
Glenda was a 1954 graduate of Blodgett High School where she enjoyed playing on the Blodgett Indians Basketball Team.
In 1953, after her father refused, her older brother, Charles, signed to consent to her marriage to her sweetheart, Thomas (“Tommy”) Evans. The two remained united until parted by Tommy’s death in 2005.
Glenda’s first job was picking cotton, at a young age, alongside her father, in fields near Blodgett. Glenda later held many different positions, including working as a teacher’s aide at Diehlstadt and Benton Head Starts and a cook at Kelly Schools.
In 1975, Glenda became a social worker for the state of Missouri, and was devoted to the Scott County Foster Adoptive Association. During her career, she touched many lives and received several awards, including Missouri Social Worker of the Year. She retired in 1997.
Glenda was known for having an open-door policy, with friends and relatives (once even a traveling band) always welcomed to stay at her house for the night, or the season. She always had a homemade pie on the table and a big pitcher of her famous sweet tea in the fridge. Nearly every evening, she prepared dinner for her kids & grandkids & whoever else happened to pop in (with the exception of Friday nights, when she’d meet Tommy and a grandkid or two at the Sikeston Eagles for their buffet).
During her breaks and before bedtime, Glenda worked her crochet magic, making many beautiful afghans that continue to provide warmth and comfort to her family.
After retirement, Glenda enjoyed watching her Cardinals Baseball, watching her grandkids play a multitude of sports, and spending time with her family. She taught a select few of them how to cook. She loved a good joke and good singing from her family and friends.
Glenda was a member of the Blodgett Women’s Club where was chairman of the Blodgett Cemetery Committee for many years. She worked with area funeral directors and families as they made preparations for their loved ones.
She was a 37-year member of Miner Baptist Church.
She is survived by her four children: Debbie (Mike) Nelson of Blodgett, Kathie (David Maslinski) McGee of Blodgett, Marty (Debbie) Evans of Jackson and Joel (Amy) Evans of Sikeston; seven grandchildren: Brooke (Delbert) Marriott of Blodgett, Ryan McGee of Blodgett, Megan (Adam) Lawrence of Sikeston, Ashley Evans of Bolivar, Cristian, Hayes, and Jack Evans of Sikeston; 11 great-grandchildren: Jacob, Tommy-Anne, Emily, Dani, and Charlie Marriott, Will Evans, Katilyn, Kylie, and Teren Eskew, Loralee Lawrence Massey, and Kylen Lawrence; one sister, Brenda (Ernest) Jones of Blodgett; three sisters-in-law, Maxine Rister of Searcy, Ark., Barbra Rister Vance of Pearl, Miss., Molly Evans of Blodgett; one Brother-in-law, Tom Duff of Sikeston; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Glenda is preceded in death by three grandchildren: Abbey Evans, Adam McGee and Matt Evans and several infant grandchildren and great-grandchildren; three brothers: Leon Rister, Rex (Betty) Rister and Charles Rister; two sisters: Betty (Elmer) Compas and Margaret Evelyn (Verbon) McPherson; one sister-in-law, Carolyn Duff; two brothers-in-law, Jim (Gerry) Evans and Norman Evans; and three nieces, Karen Randall, Margaret Lankheit and Winky Evans Bula; and one nephew, Tom McPherson.
A private visitation will be held for family and friends on Thursday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at Ponder Funeral Home.
An outdoor service will be held at the Blodgett Cemetery on Thursday, April 9 at 1 p.m. Attendees may appropriately distance themselves or remain in their vehicles to view the service (service may be heard from speakers throughout the west end of the cemetery). Brother Mitchel Jackson and Ben Thatcher, Glenda’s cousin will officiate.
Serving as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are her nephews: Gregg Jones, Jeff Jones, Jack McPherson, Steve Compas, Roy Evans, JC Evans and Alan Evans.
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Memorial donations may be sent to Blodgett Cemetery Perpetual Care Fund in memory of Glenda Evans at P.O. Box 91, Blodgett, MO 63824.
Paid obituary