James (Jimmy) Laron Evans passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 19, 2026. A viewing only will be held at Brazzel – Oakcrest Funeral Home in Hope, Arkansas on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. He will be buried on Wednesday, March 25, in Grenade Cemetery.
James was born in Oden, Arkansas to Paul T. and Gaye Leonard Evans. He graduated from Isola High School in Isola, Mississippi and earned a Degree in Drafting from Mississippi Delta Junior College.
After early work at Demco as a tool and die maker, he joined Hager Hinge Company in Greenville, Mississippi. James spent over 25 years as the Maintenance Manager at Hager Hinge, keeping machines humming with the same steady hand he used on everything else. He retired from Hager Hinge Company in 2001.
In September 2009, he married Reba Edmondson Evans, his late-life anchor. A master mechanic and craftsman, he could fix anything! He loved NASCAR, the roar of the engines, and the quiet satisfaction of a job done right. James had a true passion for gardening and took pride in the beauty of the harvest.
James is preceded in death by his sister Virginia, brother Ronnie, and daughter Cynthia Rose Low. He is survived by his wife Reba, children Darren Paul Evans (wife Ginny Evans) and Michelle Desselle (husband Leo Paul Desselle III), and grandchildren April Claire Olsen (husband Daniel Olsen) Andrew Paul Evans (wife Abigail Evans), James Neal Evans (wife Jessica Evans), Henry Desselle, and Jackson Desselle. Nephew Timothy Evans, and Son in-law Charles Low. Also significant in his life are stepdaughters Angela McGraw (husband Larry) and Cindy Hollings(deceased) and their families.
One of the gifts that James cherished the most was being “Great Paw Paw Evans” to Hannah Claire Sherwood, Elijah Paul Evans, Wyatt John Evans, Adeline Rose Evans, Scarlett Elizabeth Evans, Daniel Christopher Evans, Liam Jude Evans, Penelope Jane Evans, and a new baby boy Evans due in July 2026. These great grands will always remember his dry humor and how he always dressed like a “real cowboy”!
He left behind no fanfare- just a life built slow, solid, and kind.