Martha K. Evans, 94, of Ocala, FL passed away at West Marion Hospital on December 20, 2020. Born August 25, 1926, she was the daughter of Frank and Mary King. Martha was a native of Atlanta, Georgia and moved to On Top of the World from Kansas City in 1990 for retirement with her husband William W. Evans (Bill).
Martha worked as a medical transcriptionist in Atlanta until she married and started a family and became an outstanding homemaker. Bill’s career achievements put the family on the relocation track to New Jersey and New York and finally Kansas City. She never complained about moving and was always positive, brave, and enthusiastic, even when called upon to travel by train to parts unknown (Kansas City), where she knew no one, when she was 8 months pregnant.
She will always be remembered for her love of family. As a mother, she taught her 4 children many of life’s lessons with compassion and caring. She was very spiritual and lived by her faith. She was a member of Countryside Presbyterian Church in Ocala at the time of her passing.
A clever and talented designer, Martha found pleasure in many activities. She was a creator at heart. First, and perhaps foremost, she was an excellent seamstress, making clothes, draperies and even hats. Her daughters learned to sew at a very young age by contentedly sitting at her feet while she was sewing, stringing buttons from a jar. She could often be found late at night at the sewing machine stitching up a new creation. She could decorate, arrange flowers, crochet, and paint, all with flair and style. She continued to pursue her passion for “coloring pages” up until her passing.
She was an avid bridge player and formed lasting relationships with the members of her bridge club while in Kansas City. Additionally, association with her neighbors always brought her joy and she served as President of Welcome Wagon for some time, welcoming new neighbors and helping them settle.
Ever the entrepreneur, she was successfully involved in jewelry, cosmetic, and supplemental nutrition sales.
In retirement, Martha enjoyed beach vacations and cruising. For their 50th wedding anniversary she and Bill took the family on a cruise to the Caribbean. It was easy to see how much in love they always were.
Martha loved to dance and had lots of opportunity to do so. She was a member of a dance troupe, known as The Tapping Toppers of On Top of the World. They practiced, rehearsed and performed at many events. She made lifelong friends of her fellow dancers and oh, those fabulous show-stopping costumes. Speaking of costumes, she was also a member of another performing group, the OTOW Synchronized Swimmers. They too, had their share of eye-catching costumes and headpieces. She also looked forward to the weekly Friday night happy hours and dances sponsored by OTOW and would often enjoy a martini.
Martha lived a rich and full life and she will be missed beyond words but she will always be alive in our hearts. Surrounded by loving family during her life, she is preceded in death by her husband, William W. Evans, her parents, and her sister Frances McElroy of Decatur, GA.
She is survived by daughters Jerrie Noyes (Edward) of Fairfield, Iowa, Vicki Scanlon (Stephen) of Kansas City, MO, and sons William W. Evans, Jr. (Julianne) of Sausalito, CA, and Robert A. Evans (Allyson) of Santa Cruz, CA, 4 grandchildren 2 great grandchildren and a niece and 2 nephews.
At a later date, there will be a military service and inurnment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida where Martha and Bill (a NAVY veteran) will be laid to rest.