Mercedes Louisa Evans

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Mercedes Louisa Baker Evans, known as "Merry," on January 14, 2025, at the age of 78. Surrounded by her loving husband and three generations of family reading scripture and singing the songs she taught them from childhood, Merry peacefully passed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with a song in her heart.
Born in Philadelphia to the Rev. H. Raymond and Doris Hunt Baker on September 24, 1946, Merry grew up in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania. Her father nicknamed her "Merry" for her friendly, perky personality. Merry graduated from Lower Moreland High School as a member of the National Honor Society and went on to earn a Summa Cum Laude degree in Math from Susquehanna University, completing her senior year in one semester.
Merry was always singing. From singing in her high school Beauty Shop Quartet to singing in church choirs at St. John's Episcopal Church in Huntingdon Valley, Christ Church Episcopal in Laredo, Texas, and St James' Episcopal Church in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, Merry's love of music was evident.
A teacher at heart, Merry's first job was teaching math at Lower Moreland High School before moving with her family to Laredo, Texas for her husband's job, where she taught pre-school. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, she founded and directed a pre-school co-op at St. James Episcopal Church in Langhorne, where she served for 25 years. After retiring from St. James, she tutored high school seniors for SAT's and college exams. In her spare time, she also taught Kinder Music. Her greatest passion, however, was teaching the Word of God to women at Bible Fellowship Church (now Riverstone Church) in Yardley, Pennsylvania. Merry was also instrumental in children's summer Bible school programs at St John's Episcopal Church, St James' Episcopal Church, and Riverstone Church; and at churches she served on mission trips to Latin America.
Merry touched countless lives through her teaching and her deep faith in God. Her legacy lives on especially through her family, who are rooted in God's love and the love they share with one another, thanks to her influence. She is survived by her cherished husband of 56 years, Gary; her daughters, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Amanda; her siblings, Judy, Raymond, Margie, and Jean; as well as nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
A celebration of Merry's life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Riverstone Church, 725 Oxford Valley Road, Yardley, PA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, followed by the service at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the missionary team that Merry supported during her life, Sue and Craig Querfeld, who serve in Latin America with TEAM. Give online by Mail: TEAM, PO Box 1683 Carol Stream, IL 60132-1683; by phone: 800.343.3144; or online through .