Michael D. Clark reports:
Barbara “Becky” Evans and her husband not only built a 55-year marriage together but also raised an adopted family of four and helped grow an international company.
Mrs. Evans (nee Hemphill), 81, of Deerfield Township, died Aug. 25 after a prolonged illness but her legacy as wife, mother, hospital nurse, school and swim club volunteer and associate director of the Gold Medal Products Company in Evendale impacted thousands.
“We had a lot of energy and a lot of mountains to climb together,” said her husband J.C. Evans, retired chairman of Gold Medal, which manufactures concessionary equipment and is one of Greater Cincinnati’s largest companies, based on sales.
A graduate of Taylor High School in Hamilton County’s North Bend, Mrs. Evans showed that high energy early as a member of both the school’s track and band programs.
Graduating from the University of Cincinnati nursing school in 1953, she married her husband in 1957 and later worked stints at Christ, Cincinnati Children’s and the former Bethesda Oak hospitals, before retiring in the mid-1980s.
She and her husband adopted four children, raising them while living 35 years in Amberly Village before moving to Deerfield Township. The couple also own a home in Coco Beach, Fla.
During those years, Mrs. Evans also found time to volunteer for the PTA at Losantiville Elementary School, Reading High School, St. Xavier High School, Seven Hills High School and St. Ursula Academy.
She also worked outside the home as a booster for swim clubs in Blue Ash, Bel-Wood in Warren County and the Cincinnati Pepsi Marlins out of St. Xavier High School.
“She was loved by everybody and being good to people was the reason she became a nurse,” her husband said.
Evans marveled at both her drive and courage.
“One day she joins the Welcome Wagon and the next thing I know she is the president,” he said. “And she was also a pancreatic cancer survivor.’’
In addition to her husband, survivors include two sons, John Evans of Liberty Township, Doug Evans of Indian Hill; two daughters, Leigh Gibson of Lombard, Ill.; and Suzi Lipps of Delhi Township; and nine grandchildren.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. Saturday at Hodapp Funeral Home, 8815 Cincinnati-Columbus Road, West Chester, until time of the memorial service at 5:30 p.m. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Mrs. Evans’ life at her home following the service.
Memorials: Sycamore Presbyterian Church, 11800 Mason Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249.
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