Obituary of Bobby Joe Evans
Bobby Joe Evans, ladies' man, foodie, dapper dresser, and accomplished golfer, passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.
Bobby was known by many for his mouth-watering fudge. He constantly researched new recipes whether by watching the Food Network or reading the latest issue of Southern Living. He made the best personal meatloaves called “little cheddars”, sausage stars, and grilled a mean filet, but his specialties were certainly sweet confections such as chocolate and peanut butter fudge, Texas trash, and crock pot candy!
Bobby grew up in the north Georgia mountains in the small southern town of Tate, Georgia. He was one of 13 children of Elbert and Ethel Evans (Gee). Bobby and his brothers cut and hauled pulp wood before and after school. His sisters still make the best dumplins and fried okra around. He left Tate when he enlisted in the United State Air Force in 1961. Although he traveled home frequently for family gatherings. He is survived by nine of those 13 siblings, Dorothy Heath (JM), Evelyn Buchanan, James “Cotton” Evans (Shirley), Tom Evans (Donna), Judy Baker (Freddie), Jean White (Larry), Lynn Buchanan (David), Lou Grant (Larry), Jerry “Tadpole” Evans (Brenda). He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Bud and Bill Evans.
The friends in his life were numerous. He particularly fancied women whom he called “Hun” or “Girl”. He married his wife Mitzie Evans, in 1963 while stationed at Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, TN. He loved his daughter Sheryl Evans, of Murfreesboro who was born in September 1966. Every year of her teaching career, he would bring a bouquet of the first daffodils to peek their fragile heads out of the springtime ground. His marriage to Mitzie lasted 26 years, but unfortunately ended in divorce. After a long while, he met Frances James, and spent the remainder of his years by her side. He was most proud of his one and only grandson, Cody Evans, whom he watched grow into a successful young man who graduated from MTSU with a degree in Aerospace Flight Dispatch and Scheduling and now works with NASA in San Jose, California. He was also quite enamored with his soon to be daughter-in-law Kalie Horton, because she could persuade Cody to do just about anything!
He had a life-long love affair with the game of golf. He probably could have become a professional player, but he certainly enjoyed “out-doing” his friends on any given course any day of the week. He was notorious for watching sports without sound. He felt commentators didn’t do the sport any justice. I was so happy when digital TV came around so that we could rewind to “hear” what had happened at any given sporting event.
Bobby took fashion cues from no one. Although always pristine in appearance, you could expect a three-button moisture wicking golf shirt, pressed shorts, ankle socks, sensible shoes, and a cap sporting the name of any golf brand. As the seasons changed, Bobby would lengthen the shorts to pants, and add a long sleeve undershirt or pullover windbreaker to his ensemble.
Bobby spent many summers on Center Hill Lake. He taught so many people how to waterski. His patience as everyone learned how to balance on those wide yellow skis was amazing. He could be found circling back to pick up fallen skiers with his white towel around his neck and Gilligan hat to avoid sunburn every single weekend. He had several campers that ranged from renovated Bunny Bread trucks to converted Blue Bird buses.
He was a natural born salesman. He sold fire alarms, insurance, conversion packages, and used cars throughout his career. I often thought that he would be able to sell ice in Alaska!
Because of his distaste for formal funerals, his family will hold a celebration of life at the home of Roy and Laurie Watts, 3132 Dilton Mankin Road, Murfreesboro, TN 37127 on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 4-7 p.m. We will be celebrating with finger foods, music, and fellowship exactly as requested by Papa.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Murfreesboro Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses.
