Mary Frances Rhodes Evans

Mary “Frances” Evans, aged 72, died peacefully on September 7, 2016 surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with heart and lung disease. Frances was born October 23, 1943, in De Funiak Springs, Florida, the daughter of James Rhodes and Edith Rhodes. Frances came from a large family, which included 7 sisters and 4 brothers. She graduated high school from Walton High School in 1961. In 1965, Frances married the love of her life, Freddie Anthony Evans and they moved to Waggaman, Louisiana. Frances was the mother to two daughters: Toni Evans DeFatta, 43 and Kimberly Evans, 37, whom she loved and cherished dearly.
Frances was a dedicated, nurturing, and selfless wife and mother. She relished her role as a homemaker and set a wonderful example in all she did for her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, camping, cross word puzzles, was an avid reader, and always participated in her children and grandchildren’s educational and extracurricular activities.
Frances is survived by her husband Freddie Evans, daughters Toni Evans Defatta (Thomas DeFatta) and Kimberly Evans (Carl Ritter), grandchildren: Lauren Evans, Sal DeFatta, Mackenzie DeFatta, and Aiden Evans, great grandchildren: Saint DeFatta and Leo DeFatta, sisters Janet Slay, Edith Hall, and Patricia Peters, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, 4 sisters, and 4 brothers.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 am-11:00 am, on Friday September 16, 2016, at MOTHE FUNERAL HOME, 7040 Lapalco Blvd, Marrero, Louisiana with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 am. Pastor Frank Romero from First Baptist Church of Waggaman will officiate the ceremony. All family and friends are welcome to attend and celebrate Frances’s life.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, the family asks for those who wish to contribute to make a donation to the COPD Foundation, American Heart Association, or Children’s Hospital. The family would like to thank the nurses and physicians for ensuring that her transition from this life to eternal life in Heaven was peaceful and filled with grace.