Joy Evans

Janette Joy Lee "Joy" Evans, age 86, of Nevada, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Clovis, New Mexico. Joy was born on August 1, 1939, in Snyder, Oklahoma, to Albert Len and Voida Elizabeth (Owens) Long. She graduated from high school and on August 30, 1956, married the love of her life, Billy Joell Evans, Sr., in Altus, Oklahoma. Billy passed away on October 6, 2024. after nearly 68 years of marriage. Joy has now been reunited in heaven with her beloved husband and her daughters, Debbie Evans and Danita Bright.

Early in her marriage Joy was a homemaker and farm wife in addition to raising four energetic children. During this time, she also attended nursing school and graduated in January of 1972. She had a heart of compassion and worked in nursing for nearly 30 years at Nevada City Hospital in Nevada until her retirement in 1996. For the past 20 years Joy and Bill enjoyed spending winters in Raymondville, TX. Joy was a cancer survivor and an avid supporter of the Vernon County Cancer Relief. She had a love of sewing and could be found at all hours working in her quilt house. She was an avid quilter and won the Bushwhacker Quilt Contest several years in a row, and donated quilts to domestic violence survivors. Joy loved spending time with her family and especially enjoyed attending all things that involved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren especially sporting events. She was also a dedicated supporter of the KC Chiefs, KC Royals, and the Missouri Tigers.

Joy is survived by her two children: daughter Barbie Bell (Gary) of Clovis, New Mexico, and son Billy Evans, Jr. (Terry) of Surf City, North Carolina; her brother, Gary Long of Weatherford, Oklahoma; eleven grandchildren: Jevan Shorten (Brittney) of Nevada, Missouri; Skye Klinksick (Jacob) of Lamar, Missouri; Darrick Crooks (Brooke) of Columbia, Missouri; Dakota Bright (Whitney) of Prairie Village, Kansas; Darcy Bond (Austin) of Nevada, Missouri; Darian Steele of Joplin, Missouri; Trevor Thron (Jessica) of Clovis, New Mexico; Tatum Vaughan of Clovis, New Mexico; Tara Morrison (Jacob) of Fort Worth, Texas; Jillian Evans of Oceanside, California; and Bryce Evans of Oceanside, California; 15 great-grandchildren, Baylor, Callie, Laken, Andrew, Logan, Kasen, Taylin, Carter, Dale, Brynnlee, Ayden, Harper, Rayleigh, Lydia, and Indigo She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Joy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Joell Evans, Sr.; her daughters, Debbie Evans and Danita Bright; two brothers; and two sisters.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Friday, February 27, 2026 at Ferry Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Ferry Funeral Home in Nevada, Missouri, with Terry Mosher officiating. Interment will follow at Hall Cemetery in Jerico Springs, Missouri.

Memorials are suggested in her name to Vernon County Cancer Relief c/o Ferry Funeral Home.