Evelyn Merle Banister

After a long and fulfilled life, Evelyn Merle Banister died peacefully very early in the morning of November 6, 2021, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.  She was 93.

Evelyn was born on July 26, 1928, in Armorel, Arkansas to Grover and Merle Ashley.  At age 16, she graduated from high school in Blytheville, Arkansas. Following graduation, she worked at Farmers Bank in Blytheville.  It was there she met the love of her life, Billy (Bill) Myron Banister. They married in Blytheville on March 22, 1947,  and while living in Blytheville, became parents to William Stephen (Steve) and Cynthia Carolyn (Cindy). They spent 66 loving years together until Bill’s death on September 1, 2013.

In October 1959, the family moved to La Feria, Texas.  When Steve and Cindy were teenagers, Evelyn started working as a teacher’s aide with the La Feria Independent School District. She thoroughly enjoyed 27 years of employment at Sam Houston Elementary School. She loved working with the children, teachers and principals.

Evelyn was an active member of the First Baptist Church of La Feria for 62 years, participating in all areas of church work.  She loved singing soprano in the church choir and helping with arts and crafts in Vacation Bible School.

In addition to her husband, Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and two younger brothers, Larry and John Michael.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Steve; daughter, Cindy; grandson, Ryan (Camila); great grandsons, Logan and Austin; adopted daughter, Nancy Weiss; former daughters-in-law, Sharon Banister and Debbie Ames; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Ashley, Mary Banister, and Carolyn Wilks; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Evelyn is also survived by special friends and sisters of the heart, Linda Stockton and her daughter, Denise; and, Anne (Harold) Tucker.

She was a very devoted and loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to many. She was kind, compassionate and loved animals, especially dogs.  Her good nature, quick wit and wonderful sense of humor allowed her to make friends easily.  She will be deeply missed.

The family would like to thank Janie, Val and little Gio De La Rosa for being such wonderful neighbors over the years.  And to the staff and residents at Valley View Senior Living, thank you for the loving care and friendship you gave to Evelyn the past 2 1/2 years.

Evelyn’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of La Feria. A celebration of Evelyn’s life and God’s faithfulness will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Jerry Johnson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn’s memory may be made to First Baptist Church P.O. Box 27, La Feria, Texas 78559 or Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin and San Antonio (austincockerrescue.org/donate/) P.O. Box 27453, Austin, Texas 78755.