It is with a very heavy heart that I write, amidst the tears... tears of sorrow and tears of joy. Bro. Bob Evans, who founded this ministry along with his wife, Peggy, back in '99, has left this world behind and is now rejoicing in heaven with the angels. For all of us who knew and loved Bro. Bob, we are sad at his passing, for he will be missed; however we also are happy for him, knowing how happy he is to meet Jesus face-to-face. Up until these last few years of his life (suffering from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases), Bro. Bob lived a full life. As a general rule, he was always full of joy... and energy. Nehemiah 8:10 says the joy of the Lord is our strength, and Bro. Bob certainly knew that well. It was that strength that kept him going and allowed him to accomplish all that he did for the Lord.
The Bible also teaches us that we can live an abundant life here on earth, and Bro. Bob truly did. His abundance didn't come from worldly riches, but he had an abundance of blessings that money can't buy. He had been married to his high school sweetheart for over six decades, and they were blessed with three beautiful daughters, as well as grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. They also had a son who went to heaven as a baby. I imagine that Russell was with Jesus as they welcomed Bro. Bob home.
He spent his life serving the Lord, including founding two churches as well as this ministry. Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy would both agree that It wasn't always easy (serving the Lord usually isn't), but it was always rewarding. He truly lived what he believed, and as a result, Bro. Bob always had a heart for giving to others. He lived by God's Word, especially the one upon which he founded Joseph's Storehouse, "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these My brethren, you have done it unto Me." (Matt. 25:40) He never met a stranger, and he was no respecter of persons. It didn't matter if someone was rich or poor, clean or dirty, he loved everyone the same. God put a heart of compassion in him and called him to "feed His sheep." Through the years, the Lord spoke to Bro. Bob many times in visions to help guide him into the next phase of his ministry, including a vision of heaven. No doubt the real thing doesn't even begin to compare. I'm sure that before he gets through hugging and shaking hands with everyone there, those of us who have also accepted Jesus as our personal Savior will join him around the throne. I firmly believe there will be thousands of people in heaven that will be able to thank Bro. Bob and Sis. Peggy for being their "spiritual parents." I, for one, could never thank them enough for loving me like their own.
Please keep Sister Peggy and the family in your prayers, and please let them know you're thinking of them. The official obituary from Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home is below.
BRO. BOB EVANS
Funeral services for Rev. Bob Evans are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at West Hills Baptist Church, Lebanon, TN. Visitation will take place at Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home on Monday from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and on Tuesday after 11:00 am at the church. A private family burial at Wilson County Memorial Gardens will follow the service.
Bro. Bob Evans, 82, of Lebanon, went to be with his Lord on Friday, March 9, 2018.
The son of the late George and Allie Evans, Bro. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Peggy Bellar Evans, daughters Laurie (Terry) Taylor, Lisa (Benny) Nolen, and Susan (Marc) Huddleston; five grandchildren, Carrie Beth Taylor, Jeremy (Christy) Taylor, Benjamin (Callie) Nolen, Bethany (Kyle) Speck, and Anna Huddleston; and eight great-grandchildren, Cayden Champion, Isabelle and Hudson Taylor, Asher, Levi, and Samuel Nolen, and Nolen and Nathan Speck.
Preceding him in death was his son, Robert Russell Evans.
Bro. Bob Evans, born in Baltimore, MD, moved to Lebanon at the age of 10 years old. He attended Lebanon High School and graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in 1954. He also attended Tennessee Tech University.
Bro. Bob was a Lebanon business man, working at Bellar Furniture Co., and owner/manager of Town and Country Home Furnishings, both in Lebanon, for 22 years. He surrendered and served in full-time ministry for 39 years which included music ministry at College Heights Baptist Church, Gallatin, and Fairview Baptist Church, Lebanon. He founded and pastored two churches, Love One Another Church, and Love’s Way Community Church, both of Lebanon. Desiring to show God’s love to hurting people, he and his wife founded Joseph Storehouse Food Ministry in 1999, which provides food to those in need in Wilson and surrounding counties. Bro. Bob also was involved in foreign mission endeavors in Russia and Haiti.
In 2012, the Lebanon Rotary Breakfast Club awarded Bro. Bob the Bernie Bass Community Service Award.
In 2014 the Tennessee House of Representatives passed a Joint Resolution to honor Bro. Bob for his work in ministry and community service.
Bro. Bob was a past member of the Lebanon Jaycees and Rotary Clubs, and the Gideon’s International.
Active Pallbearers include: Bobby Joe Reich, Joe Varossa, Kyle Speck, Terry Taylor, Jeremy Taylor, Robert Billings, and Fred Vanhook.
The service will be conducted by Rev. Benjamin Nolen and Benny Nolen.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Joseph Storehouse Food Ministry, 1960 SE Tater Peeler Road, Lebanon, TN 37090 and the Gideon’s International.
