Ralph Harrell Evans, Jr., of Celeste, Texas passed away in Greenville on February 23, 2023, with his family by his side. He was 81 years old. Ralph was born on July 26, 1941, to Ralph Harrell Evans, Sr. and Winnie Joyce Duncan Evans in Celeste.
Ralph graduated from Celeste High School on May 20, 1959. He was a dedicated employee of 36 years at Proctor & Gamble and worked for 9 years at Folgers before he retired.
Ralph married his loving wife, Gloria Lou Evans on January 28, 1961, in Leonard. Together, they shared 62 years of marriage after meeting on a blind date arranged by their friends from Celeste and Leonard.
Ralph was a devoted Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Celeste. He was also a member of the Freemasons - Miller Masonic Lodge 224 in Celeste.
Ralph was especially fond of spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren reveling in teasing and joking with them. When family was not around to visit, he loved to read, especially history of America and Texas. This made books a go-to gift for birthdays and Christmas.
When traveling, Ralph never met a person from any background or area he did not enjoy visiting with about all aspects of life. They could always detect his drawl. On a mission trip to Poland, he even developed a simple way of communicating by hand signals with a non-English speaking local when they would take smoke breaks. After retirement, Ralph enjoyed drinking coffee at Kwik-Check during the “second shift”.
Ralph will be remembered by his wife, Gloria Lou Evans of Celeste; sons, Harold Ray Evans and wife, Rhonda, of Celeste, Eric Allen Evans of Celeste, and Jared Lee Evans and wife, Jacquelyn, of Tyler; grandchildren, Jeremy Evans, Blake Evans, Alesha Bayiha, Kayla Evans, Britton Evans, Emerson Evans, Elin Evans, and Ensley Evans; great-grandchildren, Erin and Ben; brothers, Donnie Evans and wife, Pam, of Celeste, and Bill Evans of Como; sister-in-law, Patty Evans; and a slew of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded by his parents, Ralph and Winnie Evans; brother, Garland Evans; grandparents, Grady and Katie Evans; and grandmother, Icy Walker.
A funeral service officiated by Pastor Jim Sherwin will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, February 28, 2023, at the First Baptist Church of Celeste. Family will welcome guests at a visitation on Monday, February 27, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home in Leonard. Following the service, there will be a procession to Hogeye Cemetery for burial.