SUSAN MARINIS EVANS

1946-2021

Susan Marinis Evans passed away peacefully on April 19, 2021 in Midland, Texas surrounded by loving family. She was born October 22, 1946 in Dallas, Texas to her parents, Dr. Thomas and Betty Sue Marinis. The Marinis family moved to Midland, Texas in 1950 where Susie attended Sam Houston Elementary, San Jacinto Jr. High, and Midland High School before going on to The University of Texas at Austin. At Sam Houston Elementary Susie served on the male dominated safety patrol. Susie was a cheerleader in junior high and high school and her senior year in high school she was on the Catoica Court. Her high school friends have remained her lifelong friends. At the University of Texas at Austin, where Susie met many more friends for life, she pledged Kappa Alpha Theta. She met Donald L. Evans, the love of her life, the spring of her freshman year. Susie went on to work at the State Capitol before moving to Houston, Texas in 1968 to work for the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski.

Susie married Don on August 1, 1970 in Midland, Texas at the First Baptist Church. They soon arrived in Austin, Texas where Don completed his MBA. In 1972 they moved to Don’s hometown, Houston, Texas. While in Houston on September 11, 1973 they were blessed with their first child, a daughter, Elizabeth Susan Evans (Lisa) who from day one filled her mother’s heart with joy. In early 1975, they moved to Susie’s beloved hometown of Midland, Texas.

On July 16, 1976 the angel of the family, Jennifer Lynn Evans arrived, a 4 pound 6 oz baby girl. God in his perfect wisdom and timing places us in our earthly tent exactly where He will best utilize us for the glory of His Earthly Kingdom. This was certainly the case with Susie as He designed, called, and gifted her as His special caregiver to daughter, Jenny.

They were blessed on December 8, 1989, with a baby boy, Donald Louis Evans, Jr. Having never had a son, Donnie brought a new dynamic into Susie’s life and kept her on her toes at time, but a mother’s love conquers all.

After 21 years, in 1997 Jenny moved to her new home, The Brookwood Community in Brookshire, Texas. What a joy and beautiful story it is to have watched Susie define the miracle of life and the life changing love of all of God’s special needs children. Susie always said that Jenny was sent to rescue us, which she did with a few others along the way.

Susie selflessly and lovingly gave the better part of her life dedicated to meeting and exceeding every possible need to ensure that Jenny was loved and cared for while simultaneously balancing her life as a devoted, loyal supportive wife, dutiful mother to Lisa and Donnie, doting grandmother of five, daughter and a true friend.

A big part of her life was her faithful commitment to volunteerism, one of the many qualities that makes Midland, Texas such a wonderful place to live and raise a family. It was a home and a community where Susie lived daily by her favorite bible verse, Galatians 5:22-23, the fruits of the spirit. Susie danced through life with an ever-ready smile, a great sense of humor and a love of people who laughed. During her first years in Midland, Susie was chairman of the Women’s March for The March of Dimes. She was a founding supporter of the Bynum School where she served on the board from 1983-1992, where Jenny was a student. There is a garden called “Susie Evans Garden of Angels” at Bynum School in her honor. Susie was a member of the Junior League of Midland and was the President in 1987. In addition, she was involved in her children’s activities, President of the PTA during Lisa’s freshman year and served on the First United Methodist Church administrative board. She later served on the Manor Park board from 2005-2017. During her years in Washington while Don served in the President’s cabinet Susie volunteered at “Martha’s Table” which feeds Washington D.C. area homeless and was a member of the First International Club.

During her 50 years of marriage, she raised three beautiful children and loved time with them at the family lake house on Lake Travis and snow skiing in Snowmass. She found great joy in watching her angel Jenny smiling and laughing while skiing down the slopes of Colorado. Susie loved being with and laughing with her 5 grandchildren, ages 4-19, and watching them enjoy their school activities, and sporting events, and their time at Lake Travis and in Colorado. Her selfless sacrifices and devotion to her husband made his active business, volunteer, and political career possible. Susie and Don celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on August 1, 2020.

In later years, she had a passion for working jig-saw puzzles, spending time with family and friends and socializing with her Canasta Group. She glowed with her sweet, cute, and loving smile during the frequent times she was with her angel and daughter, Jenny. Susie, with a brave heart and cheerful spirit, faced the debilitating challenges of Scleroderma, a disease that persisted the last 32 years of her life.

We thank her doctors Charlie Younger, Raj M. Patel, Maureen Mayes, and Summer Merritt for their loyal and professional care. Her family is grateful for the compassionate and wise care of Hospice of Midland including Mattie Justice and Jennifer Widner. We also thank those who gave her such special care along the way, Gloria Lindley and Oralia Gonzales.

Susie was proceeded in death by her parents, Betty Sue and Dr. Thomas Marinis, and her husband’s parents, Betty and Sam Evans. She is survived by her husband Donald L. Evans, her daughter Lisa Moon and husband Shan, and their children Makenzie, Emily, and Mitchell of Midland, Texas, her daughter Jenny Evans of Brookshire, Texas, and her son Donald L. Evans, Jr. and wife Waren, and their two sons Donald L. Evans, III (Tripp), and Jameson of Marble Falls, Texas. She is also survived by two brothers, Thomas P. Marinis, Jr. and wife Lucinda of Houston, Texas, and Steven J. Marinis and wife Noemi of Porter, Texas and brother-in-law, Richard Evans of Houston, Texas and sister-in-law, Peggy Evans Lesch and husband, Dr. Jack Lesch of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by her nieces, Courtney Marinis Swanson and husband Douglas of Houston, Texas, Katherine Marinis Walters and husband Logan of Houston, Texas, Megan Marinis Vernon and husband Taylor of Los Angeles, California, Christina Marinis Calabrese and husband Donato of Houston, Texas, Paula Marinis of Durham, North Carolina, Bethany Lesch Grubb and Mack of Dallas, Texas, and Jackie Lesch Toscas and husband George of Alexandria, Virginia. In addition, she leaves behind many great nieces and great nephews, cherished friends and loved ones. Honorary pallbearers are: Laura Bush, Nadine Craddick, Polly Davis, Pam Gilbert, Susan Granberry, Beverly Holcomb, Patty Herd, Kay Holmes, Susie Jastrow, Bettye Jones, Sandy Langdon, the late Lynn Munn, Jan O’Neill, Melinda Perrin, Barbara Robertson, Cindy Scherer, Penny SladeSawyer, Claudia Stool, Nancy Woodman, Lucy Woodside, and Frances Younger.

Memorials may be given in her memory to Bynum School, 5100 Avalon Dr, Midland, TX 79707, The George W. Bush Foundation, 2943 SMU Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75205, The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX 77423, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1840 Old Spanish Trail Houston, TX 77054, or a charity of your choice.

The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 26, 2021 at First United Methodist Church in Midland. Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at First United Methodist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.