Dawn Marie Evans
September 30, 1953 - March 15, 2021
Fort Worth, Texas - Dawn M. Evans — beloved daughter, wife, sister, mother, and grandmother —
transitioned peacefully into the arms of her Savior on March 15, 2021, surrounded by her husband, Terry, and her sons, Bryan and Brandon.
Gussie — as she was known to family and close friends — was born in El Paso, Texas, and was given that nickname by her grandfather while she was still in the womb. Her father's Army career took her and her siblings — John, Lynda, and Tina — on a journey through Lawton, Okla., Germany, and Italy. Eventually, her parents — DeWayne and Dorothy — settled in Tarrant County, where she attended and graduated from R.L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth.
Later, she met another Paschal grad, Terry, but not because they attended the same school. As Terry washed dishes one morning at the G.C. Murphy Co. restaurant in Seminary South, he saw Dawn slide through a space between the takeout counter and the last booth, dressed in her brand new white waitress uniform, and Terry fell in love. They would wed on December 31, 1971.
Terry enlisted in the Navy in March of 1972, and the two moved to San Diego, where they would spend most of their time until his honorable discharge in March of 1978. They moved back to Fort Worth and settled into their forever home.
Dawn and Terry welcomed two boys into the world: Bryan, in May of 1983, and Brandon, in December of 1984. As they grew, the boys watched their mom transition through multiple industries, including banking, wholesale tire distribution, and eventually retail advertising with the Star-Telegram in 1998, where she spent 18 years until she retired — on her birthday — in 2016.
While at the S-T, she was recognized for contributions to her department with employee-of-the-year awards more often than she was not; however, her work ethic, determination, resiliency and accountability defined her on and off the clock.
Dawn kept house meticulously, a characteristic that was instilled at a very young age when she and Lynda would clean their house in preparation for their mother returning home from work. Dawn often cooked dinner — another passion that blossomed throughout her life. She eventually began baking desserts, and loved to experiment with new recipes.
She took pride in the title "Mom." She scraped and struggled to give her boys a happy childhood. As they grew into teenagers and even young adults, their mom bailed them out countless times with gas money, little loans, or anything they needed, even when it meant putting off essentials for herself.
She loved fiercely and fully. In 2001, for their 30th anniversary, Dawn and Terry renewed their commitment in the eyes of God. In her vows, she said, "I am so proud of the father you have become and the fine young men our sons have become. You, Bryan and Brandon are my life."
In 2006, that life would be changed forever when she became GG — the final title that brought her the most joy — and welcomed her first two grandchildren into the world. In June, Hannah was born to Brandon, and in September, Annabelle was born to Bryan. Having raised only boys, she reveled in the opportunity to spend time with her granddaughters, doting on them as often as she could. She would later welcome Nathan in 2009 and Harper in 2018, both born to Brandon.
In March of 2017, Dawn learned that she had Leukemia. While the odds were against her, she remained determined and resilient in her fight. She fought so hard, for so long.
Because of the transplant process she hoped would save her, Dawn had to adapt her heart to a new reality — unable to visit, much less hold the people who were so important to her. She shifted much of that love to three who gave her emotional support safely at home — Sugar Bear, Maggie Mae, and Samantha Jo. The evidence is the last piece of decoration she made Terry hang on a wall. It reads "Home is where my dogs are."
Dawn touched so many people throughout her life. She had a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and even until the end, was a beacon of light for her friends and family.
Dawn was preceded in death by her father and by her beloved brother-in-law, John Woods, Lynda's husband. She is survived by her mother, her husband, her sons and their wives, Alicia (Bryan) and Jennifer (Brandon); her brother and sisters, and her grandchildren.
Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday March 23 from 12pm to 1pm at Laurel Land in Fort Worth, with memorial services following immediately after. The service will be available via life stream at https://youtu.be/rsGtmBt355s
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.
Kenneth Polito
Dawn Marie Evans
September 30, 1953 - March 15, 2021
Fort Worth, Texas - Dawn M. Evans — beloved daughter, wife, sister, mother, and grandmother —
transitioned peacefully into the arms of her Savior on March 15, 2021, surrounded by her husband, Terry, and her sons, Bryan and Brandon.
Gussie — as she was known to family and close friends — was born in El Paso, Texas, and was given that nickname by her grandfather while she was still in the womb. Her father's Army career took her and her siblings — John, Lynda, and Tina — on a journey through Lawton, Okla., Germany, and Italy. Eventually, her parents — DeWayne and Dorothy — settled in Tarrant County, where she attended and graduated from R.L. Paschal High School in Fort Worth.
Later, she met another Paschal grad, Terry, but not because they attended the same school. As Terry washed dishes one morning at the G.C. Murphy Co. restaurant in Seminary South, he saw Dawn slide through a space between the takeout counter and the last booth, dressed in her brand new white waitress uniform, and Terry fell in love. They would wed on December 31, 1971.
Terry enlisted in the Navy in March of 1972, and the two moved to San Diego, where they would spend most of their time until his honorable discharge in March of 1978. They moved back to Fort Worth and settled into their forever home.
Dawn and Terry welcomed two boys into the world: Bryan, in May of 1983, and Brandon, in December of 1984. As they grew, the boys watched their mom transition through multiple industries, including banking, wholesale tire distribution, and eventually retail advertising with the Star-Telegram in 1998, where she spent 18 years until she retired — on her birthday — in 2016.
While at the S-T, she was recognized for contributions to her department with employee-of-the-year awards more often than she was not; however, her work ethic, determination, resiliency and accountability defined her on and off the clock.
Dawn kept house meticulously, a characteristic that was instilled at a very young age when she and Lynda would clean their house in preparation for their mother returning home from work. Dawn often cooked dinner — another passion that blossomed throughout her life. She eventually began baking desserts, and loved to experiment with new recipes.
She took pride in the title "Mom." She scraped and struggled to give her boys a happy childhood. As they grew into teenagers and even young adults, their mom bailed them out countless times with gas money, little loans, or anything they needed, even when it meant putting off essentials for herself.
She loved fiercely and fully. In 2001, for their 30th anniversary, Dawn and Terry renewed their commitment in the eyes of God. In her vows, she said, "I am so proud of the father you have become and the fine young men our sons have become. You, Bryan and Brandon are my life."
In 2006, that life would be changed forever when she became GG — the final title that brought her the most joy — and welcomed her first two grandchildren into the world. In June, Hannah was born to Brandon, and in September, Annabelle was born to Bryan. Having raised only boys, she reveled in the opportunity to spend time with her granddaughters, doting on them as often as she could. She would later welcome Nathan in 2009 and Harper in 2018, both born to Brandon.
In March of 2017, Dawn learned that she had Leukemia. While the odds were against her, she remained determined and resilient in her fight. She fought so hard, for so long.
Because of the transplant process she hoped would save her, Dawn had to adapt her heart to a new reality — unable to visit, much less hold the people who were so important to her. She shifted much of that love to three who gave her emotional support safely at home — Sugar Bear, Maggie Mae, and Samantha Jo. The evidence is the last piece of decoration she made Terry hang on a wall. It reads "Home is where my dogs are."
Dawn touched so many people throughout her life. She had a beautiful smile, a contagious laugh, and even until the end, was a beacon of light for her friends and family.
Dawn was preceded in death by her father and by her beloved brother-in-law, John Woods, Lynda's husband. She is survived by her mother, her husband, her sons and their wives, Alicia (Bryan) and Jennifer (Brandon); her brother and sisters, and her grandchildren.
Visitation with the family will be held Tuesday March 23 from 12pm to 1pm at Laurel Land in Fort Worth, with memorial services following immediately after. The service will be available via life stream at https://youtu.be/rsGtmBt355s
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Leukemia And Lymphoma Society.
Published in Star-Telegram on Mar. 21, 2021.