forEVER in our HARTS: In Memory of Leslie Joy Evans

LESLIE JOY EVANS
March 23, 1982 to October 7, 2010

MARISA BOND EVANS
September 26, 2010 to September 26, 2010

MAC BRODEY EVANS
September 26, 2010 to September 26, 2010

Funeral services for Leslie Joy Evans, age 28, and her two children, Mac Brodey Evans and Marisa Bond Evans will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at the Alameda Church of Christ, 801 East Alameda in Norman with Rusty Tugman officiating.

Leslie Joy Evans joined her Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 7, 2010. She was born on March 23, 1982 to parents, Joy and Alan Bond. Leslie grew up in Yukon, Oklahoma and graduated from Yukon High School in 2000 and from Southern Nazarene University in 2004 with degrees in psychology and music. Leslie was very involved in music and had a beautiful voice which she shared with others by singing in her church choirs and at weddings. In March of 2008, Leslie met Mark Evans which began a beautiful romance. On June 6, 2009, the two married and Leslie joined Mark's family as mother to his three children, Marli, Marcus, and Manning. They had a beautiful ceremony where they also recognized Melinda, Mark's wife who had passed away two years earlier. In May 2010, Leslie and Mark were thrilled to learn that she was pregnant and that excitement doubled when they discovered she was expecting twins. Marisa Bond and Mac Brodey were born on September 26, 2010 and were immediately welcomed into heaven. Though the twins spent very little time on earth, they brought much joy to the entire family, especially to Leslie and Mark.

To her parents, Leslie was their little princess. To her brother, Jay, Leslie was his fearless little sister with a head of blond curls. To her husband, Mark, she was beauty, love and joy. To Mark's children, Leslie was the maternal touch they had been missing and a new song in their hearts. To her in-laws, Leslie was a welcome addition to the family. To Melinda's family, she was a graceful being who fit perfectly in their lives.

Leslie was so many things to so many people, but all can agree on one thing; Leslie was easy to love. Her beautiful smile played a part but the fact is; Leslie exuded love. She loved her family with every moment. She loved her friends with every listening ear she lent. She loved music with every note she hummed. She loved animals with an amazing level of compassion. She loved children with every lesson she taught. She loved sports, especially OU football, with every cheer that escaped her lips. She loved fun with every playful comment and feisty act. And most importantly, she loved the Lord with her life-song.

Leslie was easy to love, Leslie exuded love, and to all those who miss her presence on earth, Leslie was love. We thank God for the precious gift of Leslie and rejoice in the knowledge that she is now singing praises to Him in heaven.

Leslie is survived by her husband, Mark of the home; her parents, Alan and Joy Bond of Yukon, Oklahoma; two sons, Marcus Brian Evans and Manning Bryce Evans of the home; one daughter, Marli Grace Evans of the home; one brother, Jay Bond of Oklahoma City and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

Leslie was preceded in death by her two children, Marisa Bond Evans and Mac Brodey Evans, her maternal grandparents, Leslie and Mary Callies; her paternal grandparents, Hayden and Frankie Bond and one sister-in-law, Courtney Bond on June 24, 2010.

Marisa and Mac are survived by their father, Mark of the home; two brothers, Marcus Brian Evans and Manning Bryce Evans of the home; one sister, Marli Grace Evans of the home; maternal grandparents, Alan and Joy Bond of Yukon, Oklahoma; paternal grandparents, Gary and Sheila Evans of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; and Henry and Julia Watters of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; their Uncle Jay Bond of Oklahoma City; their uncle and aunt, Jason and Becky Evans of Toledo, Ohio; and their two cousins, Alex and Aaron Evans also of Toledo, Ohio; and their uncle and aunt, Mike and Nikki Watters of Shawnee.

Burial for Leslie, Marisa and Mac will conclude in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman.

I love this one where you can hear her beautiful voice:

I have been reminiscing a lot lately of my high school days in choir and all the wonderful times we all had together. So I will post some pictures from those days. These aren't really in any order. They are all either from my senior year in '99 or the summer right after I graduated in May '99. My choir, the Kapella Singers went to a competition in Arezzo, Italy and we also traveled to Spain and France. It was an amazing trip!