Juanita Evans

Juanita Rathbone Evans, a special and dearly loved lady, who was blessed with 88 years of wonderful life, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Juanita was born May 24, 1934, to the late John and Anna Mae Smith Rathbone.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Walter Evans and her brother, Johnny Rathbone (Sharon).

She was the manager of Biltmore Dairy in Waynesville where she scooped many scoops of ice cream.  Juanita loved tending to her garden and her flower beds were always immaculate.  She was a lady of strong faith and was a member of Crabtree Baptist Church and enjoyed attending Emmanuel Baptist Church as well.

Juanita was blessed with a very large and loving family.  She has three surviving siblings, Henry Rathbone (Linda), Katherine Hahn (Paul) and Gerald Rathbone (Mildred).  She and Walter had one son, Mike Evans, who served 30 years in law enforcement and his wife, Shelly Evans; one granddaughter, Laci Jo Evans (Joe); three great-grandchildren, Kellsi Jo Rogers (Tristen), Aubrey Evans (Ethen) and Grainger Rogers (Diahna); two step-grandchildren, Anthony Simpson and Pehton Simpson; step-great-grandchild, Jasmine Powell, two great-great-grandchildren, Gunner Clontz and one that she was eagerly waiting to enter this world.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at Crabtree Baptist Church with the Reverend Dewayne Rathbone, Reverend Jeff Evans, and Reverend Dennis Ruff officiating.  Burial will follow at Crabtree Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Serving as pallbearers will be Joe Powell, Anthony Simpson, Grainger Rogers, Chuck Ruff, Terry Hoglen, and Robert Rathbone.

The care of Mrs. Evans has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.