Sara Jane (Shelton) Evans

     Sara Jane Shelton Evans, a gracious, loving and sharing lady passed from her earthly life on Monday, December 15, 2025 at home at the age of 81 years.

     She was born March 15, 1944 in Delaware, Ohio, the daughter of Hubert C. Shelton and Mary Jane Brown Shelton. In addition to her parents Sara was preceded in death by her daughter, Elizabeth “Lisa” Ann Evans-Newman and brother, Jay Shelton.

     Sara is survived by her beloved husband of 62 blessed years, Rev. Ralph McKnight Evans; son, Brian Keith Evans; daughter, Susan Rebecca Witherspoon (Dax); grandchildren, Xan Witherspoon (Katie), MaryBeth Kratovel (Tyler), Kristopher Evans-Newman (Lynn), Rebecca Anne Doris (Ashton), and Emily Witherspoon; great grandchildren, Bentley and Charlotte; brother, Bruce Shelton (Anna); many nieces, nephews, and friends.

     Sara lived a life rooted in service, faith, and an unwavering commitment to others. As one of the first paid EMTs in Pender County, beginning at Pender East, she answered the call to help long before it was common to do so. Wherever life took her, she found ways to immerse herself in the community --- founding a childcare center at their church in Gulf Beach, Florida, that continues to thrive today. As a minister’s wife, she embraced each move without complaint, working alongside her husband to help run The Highlands, a Presbyterian Camp in Ohio and later Camp Kirkwood in Watha, upon their return home to North Carolina. A force to be reckoned with, she would help anyone in a moment’s need. She drove school buses for Pender County Schools and later retired from the Pender County School System, where she devoted her career to working with special needs children, specializing in supporting students with autism. Loyal, resilient, and a fighter to the very end, her legacy of service, compassion, and strength will live on through the countless lives she touched.

     A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at Hopewell Presbyterian Church with Rev. Ralph Evans conducting the service. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

     To Sara’s many friends and the entire community Ralph and their family would like to thank you for every kindness shown … prayers, cards, visits, and genuine expressions of concern. We thank God, our Heavenly Father, for the gift of family and friends and pray His eternal blessings to all during this Holy Season and always.     

         Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.quinnmcgowen.com

    A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.

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