Alma Evitts

Mrs. James C. (Alma) Evitts, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, April 15, 2002, at Southeast Missouri Hospital.

She was born Jan. 27, 1922, in Cairo, Ill., daughter of John William and Nora Hack Bess. She and James Clinton Evitts were married April 29, 1948, in Carmi, Ill. He preceded her in death July 31, 1984.

Mrs. Evitts earned a B.S. and M.A. in education from Southeast Missouri State University. She taught in the Cape Girardeau Public Schools 23 years, retiring in 1982.

She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, United Methodist Women, MSTA, AARP, The Girardettes and was a volunteer at Southeast Hospital since 1985.

She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Beth "Betsy" and Robert "Mac" McCoy of Jackson, Mo.; a stepson and daughter-in-law, James C. and Veronica Evitts of Algonquin, Ill.; and three stepgrandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a son, James Donald Evitts, who died in 1984, and two sisters.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

Funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Anselm Williams will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.