Pansy Evans Espy

ALPINE Pansy Evans Espy, 94, passed away Thursday, March 4, 2010, in Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine, Texas. Pansy was a longtime resident of Fort Davis, Texas. She and husband Jim P. (Big Jim) Espy Sr. were married in 1936 and ranched this area for over 70 years. Together, they were members of the American Quarter Horse Association for over 50 years and were awarded the American Quarter Horse Association Award for 50 cumulative years of breeding American Quarter horses. Big Jim preceded her in death in 2001. Pansy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Davis since 1936 and was active in Presbyterian Ladies Missionary Group until her death. She was instrumental in getting the donation of the building from Joe and Lola Espy for the Overland Trail Museum. As a longtime member of the Fort Davis Historical Society she helped raise money for the buildings renovation. Pansy was instrumental in organizing the first exhibits for the museum, which includes "chaps" of Captain James B. Gillette, her grandfather, who was a Texas Ranger from 1875 to 1881. She was also instrumental in the organization of the Bloys Museum at Bloys Campmeeting which many exhibits from the Overland Trail Museum were shared during the week of campmeeting in August. Pansy set up the first Bloys exhibits and always checked in on the museum every campmeeting. She attended Bloys Campmeeting, 93 of her 94 years where she met Big Jim. Pansy began her "bird watching" days with her Aunt Lou C. Evans in the 1960's. In 1973 she and Jody Miller of Valentine published the first Davis Mountain Birds checklist. Beginning in the 1980's, Pansy and Jody did the "breeding birds count" in June, for the Game, Fish and Wildlife Service, and in December they did the "Christmas count" for the Audubon Society. Pansy was a member of the Midland Naturalist Assoc. for over 40 years. She was given credits in many books published on Davis Mountain birds. In 1994 she was recognized by the Texas Ornithological Society. She also served on the Trinity University Board of Regents for a number of years. She is survived by Pat and Kenny Smith of Hobbs, N.M., Jean and Tommy Everett of Fort Stockton, Ann and Jim Duncan of Whitney, Jim and Sally Espy of Fort Davis; grandchildren Ken Smith, Jana Reid, Wayne Smith, Deb McIvor, Rick McIvor, Scott McIvor, Melissa Troup, Leslee Tobin, Mandy Overturff, Joe Espy; great-grandchildren Tibba Smith, Keli Hatley, Stefanie Logan, Corey Smith, Cole Smith, Sidne Smith, Jinsen Smith, Locke Ann McIvor, Mae McIvor, Hadley McIvor, Maverick McIvor, Bucky Toup, Barrett Troup, Duncan Troup, Gabriel Troup, Jeb Tobin, Evelyn Tobin, James Robert Tobin, Kellyn Overturff, Brandon Burns Espy, Makay Espy; great-great-grandchildren Shane Smith, Cason Hatley, Kyon Hatley. Preceded in death by grandsons Wesley Smith and Jim Tre Espy.