Hi! This would be a lot easier if I was standing in my shop.
On behalf of my brothers and sisters, I have the privilege of remembering our brother, Laurence.
We would like to thank everyone who came today, for your prayers and comforting words.
Also, we would like to thank Olive and the family for looking after Laurence’s needs and keeping him comfortable.
Laurence was born on July 10, 1929 and was the first born in the family of seven to Wilfred and Gladys Evans.
Laurence had a dog named Sport that went everywhere he did. Laurence wandered off in the pasture field and when they found him asleep, the dog was laying beside him.
On our farm, we had horses and Laurence had a pony when he was growing up. He always had a love for horses.
Laurence went to Bethesda Public School which had 8 grades and one teacher. In later grades, he was caretaker of the school, which meant he had to go early in the morning in the winter to light the fire. The temperature was to be up to 69 Fahrenheit by 9 o’clock. Also, after school, he had to sweep the floor, clean the blackboards and wipe off the desks and bring in fresh water and wood for the next day.
We all had to do chores at the barn, but Laurence being the oldest, took on the responsibility of looking after the rest of us.
Laurence went to Uxbridge High School. In the summer, he drove a horse & buggy and it was kept at Grandpa St. John’s which was close to the school. One night when we went to the barn, the horse and buggy was by the barnyard gate, but no Laurence. Dad & Mom were quite excited, but I guess the horse didn’t want to wait any longer so took off and came home about 3 and ½ miles distance, without any accidents.
Laurence & Ross shared the same room, and Ross would question Laurence in the morning as to how much he got read, and usually Laurence would say he read the whole book.
Laurence got a job at the Uxbridge Co-Op, working on the livestock truck and worked in the mill. The cost was 10 cents a bag for grinding oats and barley so everybody brought their grain in bran bags which held about 120 lbs.
I have been sworn to secrecy, and this is the first time I have ever told anyone. Dad bought a new 1947 Plymouth which was kept in the driving shed in the winter time as the roads were blocked with snow. Laurence got me to go with him as he thought we should get this car out of the shed. He had a little mishap because the car slid sideways and put a dent in the back fender. He straightened it, painted it and it looked good, but I could always still see it. We never got in trouble for this.
Laurence was a member of the Uxbridge Band where he played the trumpet.
He bought a red ½ ton Fargo truck. Laurence’s vehicles were well cared for and well oiled, no dust ever stayed on it. We were hardly allowed to look at it, and never allowed to drive it.
About this time, a girl friend arrived on the scene by the name of Olive Wilson.
I had a job at a grocery store in Uxbridge on Saturday and my ride home was with Laurence after he took Olive home.
The stores closed at 12 o’clock at night and my ride home didn’t leave till much later.
I asked Mom, how come it takes so long to say goodbye. She said, they have a lot of planning to do, which was confusing for a 15 yr.-old.
Now I understand……. they have 8 children, 34 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren. 74 in total and still counting. That is a lot of planning!!
Before he was married, he bought a farm, but soon felt called to the ministry. He attended Central Baptist Seminary and Dominion Business College.
He became very active in Youth For Christ, Uxbridge, also in Uxbridge Baptist Church As Youth Counselor, Sunday School teacher, church boards, and also in the Gideons.
He was instrumental in starting the Victory Baptist Church, Newmarket.
While working at Williamson's, he opened a Christian Book Store in Uxbridge.
He founded Evans Financial Services and was involved in local organizations.
We are proud of his many accomplishments, but his main interest was for his parents, and brothers and sisters in what we were doing.
We knew we could always go to him for advice, and he would always have an answer, Maybe not what we wanted, but he was usually right.
Laurence, we thank you, and we miss you.
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