Beloved mother and sister Evelyn Ruth Sconce passed away on June 27, 2019 at The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield, MO after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born on March 29, 1936 in Fair Play, MO. A celebration of life will be held at Nixa Christian Church in Nixa, MO on Friday, August 2. Visitation will be at 1:00 with the service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Springfield.

Evelyn attended high school in Eminence, MO and married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Sconce, in 1954. After the birth of their son, Jeffrey, Evelyn went back to school at the age of 30 and earned her undergraduate degree at George Mason College in Virginia and her Master’s degree at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. She was the first woman to earn a PhD at East Texas State University, graduating in 1983. She was a dedicated and beloved teacher for more than 30 years, first at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, KS and then at both Richland College and North Lake College in Dallas TX. She was a pioneer in creating online classes in Dallas and later at MSU in Springfield.

Evelyn was athletic and graceful and she loved dancing, joining two different tap dance groups and also winning the Texas State Waltz competition. She was happiest when she was with her family, and she adored her cat, Lucy. She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Alan Sconce (Lynn) of Chicago, IL; brothers Gary Murray (Macanna) and Joe Wilson of Nixa, MO; sisters Sharon Hoffman of Nixa, MO, Deb Gassman (Thad), Tacoma, WA and Louise Williams (Jim), Leawood, KS; step-mother Audrey Murray, Clinton, IA, and many loving nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to especially thank the extraordinary staff at Elfindale, the incredible nurses and volunteers at Seasons Hospice and Vicki Karlovich and her dedicated staff for the care and love they gave Evelyn. Donations may be made in Evelyn’s memory to Seasons Hospice at springfieldhospice.com