Betty Louise Evans McCokle, 82 died peacefully into eternity with Jesus on Thursday October
14, 2021 at Ozark Nursing and Senior Care in Ozark, MO. Betty was the daughter of the late
James (Jim) and Pearl (Ward) Evans of Litchfield, IL.
Betty grew up on the farm in Litchfield, IL with her sisters and brother. After graduating high
school she went to Lincoln Christian College and later worked for GE where she met her first
husband Fred Myers of Bloomington, IL and they had one daughter, Pamela Sue.
During her time in McComb, MS and Bourbonnais, IL she had great times with the Railroad
Group, fish fries with friends in the neighborhood and most of all her time in service to the
church. She found a home church in McComb First Church of the Nazarene in McComb, MS
and Manteno Church of the Nazarene in Manteno, IL. She spent her years teaching Sunday
School, Vacation Bible School, Children’s Church, working with the Women’s Ministry add her
most favorite driving the church bus to make sure kids who didn’t have a ride to church got
one.
Because of her devotion to children and their hearts and the ministry to the church she was
given the Distinguished Service Award by the Church of the Nazarene. She was so honored
that people thought that highly of her. She and Pam moved to Illinois in 1989 where she
worked at Olivet Nazarene University as a custodian and Resident Director in Nesbit Hall. She
loved those girls and loved being a part of their lives.
She married John McCorkle of Ashkum, IL in 1993 until his death in December of 2020.
Betty spent her years in service to her community and most importantly to her Lord and Savior.
She was a fixture at the food banks, women’s crisis centers and was always willing to lend a
servants hand where ever it was needed. She loved her time in Mississippi and Illinois. The
friendships who became family were priceless to her.
But most of all her biggest love was her granddaughters, Mattie Louise and Hannah Leigh. She
loved her granddaughters fiercely and was proud of the women they have become. She was so
excited to become a great grand mother to Matthew Benjamin Baumann.
Betty is proceeded in death by her parents, brother Donald Evans, nephews Jimmie Huff and
Phillip Brigham, and several aunts and uncles and dear friends.
Surviving is her daughter Pamela (Brian) Polston of Cookeville, TN, granddaughters Mattie
Louise (Zachary) Baumann of Bettendorf, IA, Hannah Leigh Polston of Nashville, TN and soon
to be great grandson Matthew Benjamin Baumann. Sisters Nettie (Wayne) Meissner of Lathrop,
CA, Wanda (Jim) Fitzimmons of Lincoln, IL, Mary (John) Ray of Cantrall, IL and sister in law
Janet (Gene) Saathoff of Litchfield, IL. She had numerous nieces and nephews and great
nieces and nephews that she bragged about all the time.
Per Bettys request there will be no services planned. Instead Betty will be cremated and her
ashes will be spread at a later date. Her daughter is asking that in lieu of flowers and cards
that you take that money and donate to your local food pantry, women’s crisis center or
children’s ministry at your local church in her name. These ministries were special to her and
she would want them to be served with donations.