Funeral services will be 1 pm Saturday at Crestwood Chapel for Mrs. Ruth Marie Evans age 84 of Gadsden who died Wednesday.  Reverend Mat Alexander will officiate . Burial will be in Crestwood Cemetery.

Mrs. Evans was a retired educator and librarian in Etowah County. She spent her life teaching and learning at every opportunity. After a long career teaching at Gadsden City Schools and Etowah County Schools, Mrs. Evans served as director of Rainbow City Public Library until she retired. After her retirement, she spent many years teaching Sunday School and decorating the library windows of First Baptist Church of Gadsden. She also served many years as a volunteer at Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center and Riverview Regional Medical Center.

She is preceded in death by husband of 60 years Charles Rayford Evans, parents Wallace and Ruth Upton, sister Lois Dubois and brother Max Upton.

She is survived by daughter Amy Evans (Bill) Merka, of College Station Texas; son Mark Evans of Hokes Bluff; four grandchildren Robert and Jonathan (Kayla) Evans and Sara and Madaleine Merka, one great grandson, Slayden Lee Evans and a host of greatly loved nieces and nephews, sisters in law ,Merle Upton, Bobbie Evans, brother in law Norris Evans and many lifelong friends.

Special thanks to the hospital doctors, nurses, and staff of U.A.B. Hospital, and caregivers Marie Cook, and Myra Richards Campbell and friends and Palliative Comfort Care Unit.

Pallbearers will be family members.

The family will accept flowers or memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Gadsden or your favorite charity.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Saturday from 11 am until the time of service.