Obituary of Marlene Elaine Evans

“Others, Lord, yes others, Let this my motto be, Help me to live for others, That I may live like Thee.”  This refrain from a poem by Charles Meigs was the motto by which our Mom lived her life by.

Marlene Evans went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 28, 2023 surrounded by her family.

Marlene was born on July 20, 1934 to Luther and Alma Manahan in Portland, Jamaica.   She married the love of her life, Ronald Evans, on August 20, 1958 and this year they would have celebrated 65 years of marriage.  Marlene worked at the Water Commission in Kingston, Jamaica for over 30 years.  They had three children Roger, Deborah, and Michele.

Marlene attended Holy Cross Catholic Church in Kingston and was a dedicated church member, lector, eucharistic minister, and Sunday school teacher.  She instilled in her children from an early age that going to church, praising God, and assisting others was a priority and laid a solid Christian foundation within her family.  Our Mom was a living example of kindness, generosity, compassion, and selflessness. She was always helping others whether they were members of the church, family, or people within the community.

Upon their retirement, Marlene and Ronald moved to Houston, Texas to be close to their children. Marlene became involved with both the University of Houston Catholic Center and St. Helen’s Catholic Church performing many and varied ministerial roles.  Marlene was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and enjoyed working, worshiping, and serving within the Catholic and wider community.

Marlene is survived by her husband Ronald Evans, son Roger and daughter-in-law Nancy Evans, daughter Deborah and son-in-law Stephen Mackay, and daughter Michele and son-in-law Frank Perkins; two grandchildren Gabriella and Daniel Perkins; sisters Lema Bailey, Monica Boettcher, Adeline Lee, and Sister John Mary; brothers David Manahan, John Manahan and Ken Smellie; plus many nieces and nephews.

Mom leaves behind many friends and family members who mourn her passing and greatly miss her.

‘Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice’ John 16:22 

          God looked around His garden, and found an empty place,

          He then looked down upon the earth, and saw your tired face.

          It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone,

For part of us went with you the day God called you home.

                                      Excerpts from a poem by Melissa Shreve

We all love you and you will be forever in our hearts and minds.