Everett Madison Evans

Everett Madison Evans, 72, went home to be with the Lord Sept. 3, 2007, surrounded by family and friends. A memorial service celebrating the life of Everett was held in The Green Acres Chapel Sept. 5 with Dr. Paul Powell officiating. Masonic graveside services followed at Cathedral in the Pines. Arrangements under direction of Burks Walker Tippit Funeral Directors.

Everett was born in Crandall on Oct. 28, 1934 to John and Fern Evans. He was raised with country principles, strong family values, love of country and service to others. Everett was generous to a fault, always happiest when giving and a little uncomfortable when receiving.

He attended Pleasant Grove High School where he was the center and captain of his high school football team. He later earned a scholarship to play football at East Texas State University. On Dec. 18, 1953 he married the love of his life, Maxine Cookston. They were married for 53 years.

Everett was a Mason for 50 years and a Shriner for over 40 years. He became a fierce advocate and a friend to children and families in need of help from 19 Shriners Orthopedic Hospitals and three Burns Institutes in North America, Mexico and Canada. Through the years accolades came his way, celebrities were on a first name basis with him, and he was known nationwide for his devotion and service to children. His greatest joy and gratification came when he spent time with patients personally as they were being treated by Shriners Hospitals. He exemplified the Shriners motto: "No man ever stood so tall as when he stooped to help a child in need."

Everett loved the Longhorns, the Indianapolis 500, fishing, playing pranks, picking and singing on his guitar with his band The Fugitives, the Tyler community, his farm in Whitehouse, animals large and small, and all of his family and friends.

Ev owned Evans Truck Leasing until his retirement. He later owned Hertz Rent A Car of Tyler, Lufkin, Sherman and Longview.

Everett is survived by wife, Maxine, and three daughters, Shelley Ziehe of Austin, Kelley Uzzell and Holley Howard of Tyler; sons-in-law, Randy Ziehe, Lonny Uzzell and Eddie Howard; sister, Johnnie Ludwick Maddison of Dallas; and grandchildren, John Everett and Jerrad Lynn Howard, Mark Clayton and Jonathan Matt Uzzell, Ryan Evans and Laura Kaitlin Ziehe.

Pallbearers were Ryan Evans Ziehe, Mark Clayton Uzzell, John Everett Howard, Jerrad Lynn Howard, Jonathan Matt Uzzell, Eddie Howard, Lonny Uzzell and Randy Ziehe Honorary pallbearers were Laura Kaitlin Ziehe, George Grogan and family, Gerald Emmons and family, the Bob Kimberley family, the Weldon Pool family, the O.L. Guy family, Glenn McMennamy, Bob Wilds, Jug Eckert and family, Charles Welch and family, Mike Andrews and Imperial Shrine family Tampa, Fla., Sharon Shriners Tyler, Ron Donaldson and family, Larry Craig and family, Sheriff J.B. Smith and the Whitehouse coffee club.

With love and gratitude to Hospice HomePlace staff and Marjorie Ream, Elmer Ellis and ETMC, ETMC radiology family, Dr. Stephen Rydzak, Delma Ross, Dr. Gary Kimmel, Herb Theis and friends too many to name. Thank you for your support and love. Memorials may be made to Sharon Shriners Childrens Transportation & Memorial Fund, 10027 Highway 31 East, Tyler, 75707; Houston Shriner's Hospital for Children, 6977 Main, Houston, 77002; Hospice HomePlace of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701.