Alton, Illinois – Rosemary Evans, 97, of Alton Illinois, passed away July 20, 2022, in Copperas Cove, Texas, with her family by her side. She is survived by her children Barbara Steps, Mary Jane Lockhart (Steve), and Joe Evans (Sara), grandchildren Dr. Kelly Lockhart (Jeff Breitenfeldt), Nikki Lockhart (Mateo Samper), Dr. Michelle Evans (Kevin Souza), Laura Evans, and great-grandson Io Breitenfeldt.
Rosemary was born to the late William and Frieda Walter, Sept. 2, 1924, in Alton, Illinois. She graduated from Alton High School in 1942, after which she went to work as a clerk in the local IRS office before shifting to work at Western Cartridge to support the war effort. Rosemary would later go on to blossom as a professional secretary and office manager, ‘training’ more than 10 bosses over 40 years. She received an Associate degree from Calhoun College in Alabama in 1988.
She was married to Richard Evans for 67 years; he preceded her in death in 2015. Richard and Rosemary were always on the move. They resided in nine homes in three different states (Illinois, Ohio, Alabama), building four homes from the ground up. They moved to Decatur, Alabama, in 1967 where they lived for 40 years, raising their family and others before returning to Alton, Illinois, in 2009. Rosemary seemed to live by two rules – never sit down and never stop giving. This was highlighted by her beautiful yards and gardens she maintained into her 90’s, her tireless work in the church, volunteering at the Evangelical School library, tutoring young students, and even riding her tricycle 113 miles for charity during the summer before she turned 96.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Evangelical United Church of Christ, 1212 W Homer M Adams Pkwy, in Godfrey, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Rosemary to the Evangelical School Library or the American Cancer Society – cancer.org
