Mary Alice Howell Wright Evans

Mary was born in Black Springs (pop. 90) located in Montgomery County, Arkansas to Norvill and Ivah Hays Howell. When Mary was three years old, her dad moved his young family to Michigan to find work. Mary graduated from the High School of Commerce in Detroit, MI, where she learned business skills and used them throughout her career.

After high school, Mary began her career in the administrative/secretarial field. In 1956, she met Joe Wright from Tennessee at her church in Detroit. He was the brother of some of her friends with which she went to church. Mary later learned that Joe had already been told about her before his visit. Joe and Mary were married April 12, 1958, and moved to Nashville, TN. She worked until their daughter Patricia Lynne was born. A few years later, the young family moved to Clarksville, TN where Joe worked for the Tennessee Central Railroad. Their son, Joel Stephen was born there, and in 1964 they moved to Smyrna, TN so Joe could work at Tennessee Farmers Co-Op in LaVergne, TN.

Mary worked at several places while they lived in Smyrna including the Central State Mental Hospital in the Rehabilitation Department and for Rutherford County Schools as a teacher's aide while Patty and Steve were in school. After the children graduated from high school, she worked at Gould Electric, which later became Magnetek, until she retired.

Years after Joe Wright died in 1992, Mary was blessed to meet Joe Evans. She had a brain aneurysm in December of 1996. Joe Evans showed so much devotion and love during Mary’s recovery that Mary’s children were convinced of his love for her. With Joe’s assistance and the grace of God, Mary recovered, and they were married in 1997. They lived in Murfreesboro until she died. Mary and Joe Evans have shared many wonderful trips together. They went to the Rose Bowl and worked on a float for the parade. They travelled to Hawaii, rode camels in Morocco, and visited family in Texas and Florida. Mary and Joe Evans were charter members of Fellowship United Methodist Church and later joined St. Mark's United Methodist Church, where they were very active members and participated in many activities of the church. Mary and Joe attended many Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) football and basketball games. Mary was a member of the MTSU Dames Club. They loved to entertain at their home and hosted many Sunday school parties and family gatherings.

An avid reader, Mary was always a good conversationalist, and she was easy to smile and laugh. She loved being social and having lunch with friends. One of her favorite treats was the Snickers Blizzard from Dairy Queen. We hope you have one sometime soon and think of her when you do.

Mary is survived by her husband Joe Evans of Murfreesboro, TN; daughter, Patricia Wright Corlew (Robert) of Mt. Juliet, TN; son, Joel Stephen Wright (Stacy Nunnally) of Murfreesboro, TN; grandsons, Andy Wright of Southgate, KY, Daryl Corlew (Ariel) of Mt. Juliet, TN, and Matt Corlew (Hannah McCartney) of Lebanon, TN; great grandchildren Kaitlynn Wright, Emma Corlew, James Corlew and Robbie Corlew. She is also survived by her brother Billy Howell (JoAnn) of Michigan, her aunt Louise Sloan of Millington, TN and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Mary is also survived by Joe Evan's children Eddie Evans (Christe) of Lebanon, TN; Jeannie Jernigan (Nathan) of Murfreesboro, TN and Hope Pounders (Steven) of Waco, TX; grandchildren, Turner Evans of Lebanon, TN, Caleb Jernigan of Nashville, TN, Michaela Roark (Thomas) of Murfreesboro, TN, Luci Price (True)of Seattle, WA, and Robin Pounders of Waco, TX.

A memorial service is planned for Sunday, February 23, at 2 p.m. at St. Marks United Methodist Church located at 1267 N Rutherford Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. ahead of the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to The Journey Home (lovegodservepeople.org) or We Remember You (werememberyoucg.com).