Ella Jean Evans

Ella Jean “E.J.” Evans, age 56 died Friday December 20, 2024 at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. Visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Home (716 2nd Ave N. Columbus, MS 39701), Friday December 27, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., with a private graveside service following directly after at Friendship Cemetery. E.J. was born on August 10, 1968 in Columbus, MS to the late Jimmy Wade Kidd and Jo-Ann Hemby. She was a member of Coalfire Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her mother Jo-Ann Hemby, father Jimmy Wade Kidd, grandfathers James Levi Kidd and Vernon Bernett Hemby, and grandmothers Betty Jean Hemby and Ella Mae Kidd. Survivors include: Husband: Jon Anthony Evans Children: Stephanie Leigh-Ann Melton, Toni Denise Shaw and Casey Rena Shaw Step-Children: Jaqueline Gail Baswell, Jonathan Scott Evans and Lindsey Kate Brashier She is also survived by 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Life Help “in memo designate” Fairlane Center donations at 3000 Highway 49 South Tutwiler, MS 38963. E.J. was a dear friend to many. When she walked into a room she lit it up with her infectious smile, wonderful sense of humor and heart of gold. She was a very hard worker, sometimes working multiple jobs to help support her family. She could do any job and had work experience in insurance, as a carpenter, bus driver, cashier, mechanic and truck driver. She always told things like they were and meant what she said. If someone needed help she was there to lend a hand no matter what needed done. She opened her heart and her home to her children, stepchildren, their families and anyone else who needed it. She will be met in heaven by family and friends with whom she will carry on normal shenanigans as if they had never left the earth.