Lori Anne Evans-Wilson

In April 2025, Lori celebrated her 67th birthday surrounded by love and cherished memories. This joyful occasion was a testament to her enduring spirit and the deep connections she nurtured throughout her life.

On Monday night, July 14, 2025, Lori Anne Evans-Wilson took her last breath on earth and her first breath in Heaven. She had just turned 67, April 14, 2025, having celebrated this event with her closest friend Kimmi Morris-Butler. Walking her final steps towards Home was Kimmi Morris-Butler with whom Lori and her family had known each other for over 60 years. Lori's neice, Stephanie Anne Guinn was present holding one hand while singing the songs Lori would sing to them when they were young, "This Little Light of Mine," "You are My Sunshine" and "Lean on Me." All 3 songs were also reflective of who Lori was in the lives of everyone with whom she encountered. Lori's nephew, Morgan Gregory Barnes, was also present holding the other hand and speaking in Inupiaq to her, praying as she entered heaven. Pastor Will Garrison was also present, having known Lori and her immediate family. He was instrumental in the service for Lori's youngest son her preceded her in death in August of 2012, Andrew Tyler Wilson and for whom Lori grieved since his passing as well as for the service of her husband, Jamie.

Also preceding her in death were her parents, Robert Leroy (Bob Supluruk) Evans, 2021 and Aiko Imazeki Evans, 2016 and her beloved husband, James Calvin Wilson, 2025 and her Auntie Gladys Evans Wayman, 2023.

Lori was born April 14, 1958, to Robert & Aiko at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She was the first-born daughter of 3. Her younger sisters were Kimi Susan Evans and June Lee Evans.

As the oldest daughter, Lori took on a lot of responsibility in ensuring that her younger sisters were safe and cared for with love. She took that responsibility seriously and never let go of it even unto the end.

Lori was a joyful person, and her love language was service to others. Having grown up as a Military Brat, she loved living on air force bases and moving from place to place. She quickly grasped the Japanese language when the family was moved to Japan when she was 5. She was enrolled in Japanese kindergarten and thrived in that environment. When her younger sister, Kimi, was old enough to attend preschool at the age of 4, Lori was ecstatic that her baby sister was now walking to school behind her class. While Kimi did not speak the language as well, Lori led the way and introduced Kimi to everyone as "little sister".

Lori's adventurous spirit was willing to try anything. Her favorite uncle in Japan with whom she had an incredible bond, Yoshikane Imazeki, took Lori everywhere in his taxicab. Lori and his sons would often go to an amusement park where Lori loved the thrill of roller coasters.

Lori was a quick learner by just observing and doing things. Robert was often telling stories of how Lori could watch Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance and quickly mimic the dance steps. It was no surprise to see that Lori was swimming at the age of 5 and jumping off of the high dive at the age of 6 and swimming the length of the pool.

Lori went to many Department of Defense schools in Japan and when Bob finally was assigned to Tinker Air Force Base, Lori and her sisters begged to remain in Oklahoma. Lori was the first of two daughters to audition for and be accepted in the select choir of Del City High School, the Del Aires where she was happy to represent Mid-Del Public Schools in competition in Italy and Austria. Lori was proud to be an "Okie" and after graduating from Del City High School (fast tracked and skipped a year) in 1975, she attended Oklahoma City University for a year.

Having decided that she would rather work, she got a job with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and then transferred to the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 1997 as an Executive Secretary for the Office of the General Counsel. She was proud to serve in this capacity until her retirement in December 2020. Lori loved being an administrative assistant because it meant serving someone and keeping things organized so that things could progress smoothly. Lori worked hard all her life, starting with bussing tables at 14 in Sallisaw, Oklahoma. Robert & Aiko were extremely proud of Lori's position with the D.O.C. and happy that Lori loved her work and the people with whom she worked. She brought her sister, Kimi, to the office on many occasions to show her around and meet the people who worked and served in that department.

Lori was married to James Calvin Wilson from July 28, 1981, through his death in May of 2025. They had two beautiful boys, of whom Lori was most proud. Joshua James Wilson was born in February 1982 and Andrew Tyler Wilson was born in June 1990.

Lori learned from her parents the joy of cooking and entertaining. Lori loved cooking special dishes for friends, neighbors, or strangers who were hungry. Her parents were often the hub of fellowship for young men and women serving in the armed forces overseas and away from family and Lori continued this tradition of fellowship throughout her life.

Lori had many close friends who walked with her through the last month of her time in our presence and for whom she would want to receive recognition, Joshua James Wilson, her son was present to make sure she was comfortable and receiving what she needed and wanted. His advocacy for her was strong, and Lori would have been proud.

Kimmi Morris-Butler who had been bonded with the Evans family for over 54 years, when the families met in church in Oklahoma was a frequent visitor in her room staying for long periods of time and being the catalyst for critical information to pass on to her sister Kimi Evans. Friends from Okla. Dept of Corrections, Rhonda Langley and Nicole Flemming were quite often visiting with Lori to let her know that she was not alone. Lori's close friend Sherri Porter, Senior VP/Manager of Consumer Lending, BancFirst was visiting Lori as much as possible. Lori's best friend from the age of 14, Anita Helems and daughter Joanna and granddaughter Cheyenne, from Sallisaw, Oklahoma, was often arriving around midnight after a long drive, to stay in the presence of Lori so that she was not alone in her room. Her sister, Kimi, arrived as planned on July 1 and regularly often with grandchildren Emma & Brenden or daughter-in-law, Valerie Barnes staying with Lori for long periods until her scheduled departure on July 15th. Lori's friend Cynthia Naughton (D.O.C. former colleague) was also visiting as often as possible as were Valerie Barnes with Liam, Lyric and Morgan, Jr. who grieved the fact that there would be no more stayovers with Aunt Lori. Valerie went to sit by her bed as often as her schedule would allow to pray over her and watch over her. Michael and Amber Barnes took their children to see their beloved Aunt Lori, Emma, Brenden, Wyatt and Anna as they, too, have many, many family memories of celebrations in the home of Lori & Jamie. Stephanie and Cody (and Satori) and Morgan and Tristan visited when Lori took a turn for the worse to hold her hand and pray over her.

From our youth: Douglas Rowton, Sr., and his son Douglas Rowton, Jr., visits to Lori's room were made accompanied by prayers and song.

Lori's close friend Heather Cowell visited Lori over several days to pray with her and support her.

There were many, many more who visited and I neglected to ensure that I knew how to spell their names but they are forever remembered by us for loving Lori through this time.

The closest to Lori, Ammon Brislolara, formerly with Dept. Of Corrections and his wife Lindsey for whom Lori thought of as her "other adopted son/daughter-in-law" provided invaluable assistance in wrapping up many critical areas of Lori's life so that things could carry on after her passing in a smooth transition for her son, Joshua. Lori loved and cherished this family as much as they did her.

The immediate and extended family who will be forever grieving the loss of Lori who was the "hub of the family" are as follows: her only surviving son, Joshua James Wilson, her sister, Kimi Susan Evans and current spouse, Masaru Frank Turner (Ocala, Florida) for whom Lori had much love as a sister to a brother and enjoyed the many visits and phone calls over the years. Kimi's ex-husband, Stephen D Barnes and Kimi are the parents of Michael Geoffrey Barnes, his wife Amber Barnes and their children, Emma 18, Brenden 17, Wyatt 1 ½ and Anna 5 months. Morgan Gregory Barnes and his estranged wife, Valerie for whom Lori has the greatest love as Valerie was frequently visiting Lori with her children who adored Aunt Lori, Liam, 10, Lyric 8, Morgan Jr., 5, Maddyx 2 and River 8 months. Morgan also has a daughter with Kayleigh Berchem, Alixandria aged 15. Stephanie Anne Guinn has Adaleigh 16, Javin 13, Kaden 10 and Satori 5 months. Lori absolutely loved it when Stephanie and Cody (Satori's father) would visit and bring baby Satori. Lori's youngest surviving sister is June Lee Day whose daughter Chelsea spent many, many hours in Lori's house when she was a child.

Surviving family members include many, many aunts, uncles, cousins in the North Slope of Alaska not excluding Margaret Ahngakina Fischer and family, Ethel Agnagituak Patktotak and family, the Bodfish Family (Lori's Aka Carrie Popiglook Evans was sister to Mattie Bodfish who was wife to Waldo Bodfish)

Lori's unwavering faith in Jesus is what she would like to be most remembered for having living between April 14, 1958, through July 14, 2025. This Light had been carried in her heart since she was a child and never ever went out.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd at 2:00 P.M.

Public Viewing: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Private Family Viewing: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Barnes Friederich Pope Funeral Home

1820 S. Douglas Blvd.

Midwest City, OK 73130

(405) 733-2991

info@bfpfuneralhome.com