Evonne Wagoner

Justine Evonne Wagoner, 93, of Cape Girardeau went to heaven Wednesday, July 17, 2013, at Landmark Hospital.

She was born Aug. 2, 1919, near Bates City, Mo., the only child of Elmer and Cora Phillips. She and Robert Graham Wagoner were married May 1, 1942, at her family home near Bates City.

Evonne was an elementary schoolteacher and at one time did "demonstration teaching" observed by education majors at the campus school of Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Evonne and Graham moved to Cape Girardeau in 1949 when Graham joined the faculty of Southeast Missouri State University. Together they became faithful members of Centenary United Methodist Church, where she was a member of United Methodist Women and a willing helper at church dinners and other events.

She was a longtime member of a university organization, Faculty Dames, and also enjoyed many occasions with a "stitchery" group and the Lunch Bunch.

As mom, nana and great-nana, Evonne devoted herself to every generation of her family. Extended family members fondly recall past Thanksgivings when she hosted several days of delicious meals. Lifetime friends living far away could depend on her to write individual Christmas letters to each of them.

Evonne is survived by her husband of 71 years, Graham Wagoner; two sons, Phil (Leta) Wagoner of Cape Girardeau, Daryl (Ellen) Wagoner of Fort Worth, Texas; two granddaughters, Laura (Lance) McClard of Cape Girardeau and Leslie Wagoner of St. Louis; and two great-grandchildren, Ainsley and Finn McClard of Cape Girardeau.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Centenary Church, 300 N. Ellis St., Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Karen Nothdurft and the Rev. Jim Sanderson officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Centenary United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be shared at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.