Ray William Evins went to be with the Lord on February 9, 2025, at the age of 66, in Mountain Home, Arkansas, surrounded by loved ones.
Ray was born on August 18, 1958, at Christa Hogan Hospital in West Plains, Missouri, to Roy William Evins and Ida Inez (Piper) Evins. He was the youngest of their four children. Ray began school in the 1st grade in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. When the family moved back to their farm in 1965, he attended Ridgeview School in Pomona, Missouri, up to 7th grade. His 8th grade year was at Junction Hill School in West Plains, Missouri, where his mother was a cook. While at school, he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. Ray attended high school in Willow Springs, Missouri, through 10th grade.
At the age of 16, Ray learned to drive a semi-truck. This is when his passion for trucking began and lasted nearly 50 years. He received safe driving awards from Landstar Inway, whom he spent many years leased onto. When he wasn’t trucking, he found joy in raising hogs, cattle, and crops on his childhood farm, where he resided most of his life. His other hobbies included playing cards, hunting, stock car racing, attending auctions, and of course, entertaining everyone with jokes and stories. Ray attended church at Lost Camp Baptist, where he was saved and baptized in 1986. Ray was well known for being a caring, selfless man who never met a stranger. He showed his love through cooking, smoking meats, and baking, especially during Christmas. Ray’s favorite title in life was Grandpa; his grandkids were his pride and joy.
Ray married Loretta Martin in 1977, and their son, Leslie Dean, was born in 1978. In 1980, he welcomed a daughter, Kristy Jo, with Karen Collins. Ray married Darla Woodley in 1983. From this union, three daughters were born, Rachel Mae in 1983, Monica Ray in 1987, and Whitney Jo in 1990.
Ray is survived by his three siblings, Louise Dulaney, Wendell (Patty) Evins, and Ina Vaughn; five children, Les (Tammy) Evins, Kristy Lee, Rachel Evins, Monica Evins, and Whitney McGinnis; he was blessed with nine grandchildren, Courtney, Nick, Anthony, and Isaac Evins, Kaitlin, RJ, and Evin Lee, Mason Evins, and Reid McGinnis; two great-grandchildren, Niyla Evins and Rilen Young; five grandchildren through marriage, Devon and Danny Parkinson, Xander Rigg, Gannon and Holt McGinnis; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Inez; grandparents, Cleve and Bertha Evins, and Lewis and Vina Piper.
Funeral services will be held at Lost Camp Baptist Church in Pomona, Missouri, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Willow Springs, Missouri. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10-11:00 a.m. also at the church. Interment will be at Lost Camp Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Lost Camp Cemetery, mailed to Sandra Evins at 13884 CR 6410 West Plains, MO 65775, or left at Yarber Mortuary. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermort
