Geraldine "Gerry" (Ownbey) Evans, 99, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Thursday, April 23, 2026 at the LaPlata Nursing Home in LaPlata, Missouri.

The daughter of George Ernest "Ernie" and Olive Mae (Bennett) Ownbey, she was born May 26, 1926 in Novinger, Missouri. On April 26, 1947 in Kirksville, Missouri, Gerry was united in marriage to Lavon "Bus" Evans who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her parents; step-father, Charles A. "Charlie" Novinger; one son, Clell Edward Evans; one brother, James "Bunker" Ownbey; three sisters, Nettie Louise Yardley, Norma Ownbey, and Georgia Dreyer; and two brothers-in-law, Willard Yardley Sr., and John Lincoln "Link" Dreyer Sr.

Gerry is survived by two nieces, Willa Mae (Yardley) Hutcheson and husband Leon, and Roxanna "Roxie Louise Parks and husband Darrell all of Kirksville, MO; two nephews, Willard F. "Sonny" Yardley Jr. and wife Twyla of Jefferson City, MO, and John Lincoln Dreyer II and wife Sandy of Fulton, MO; as well as several great nieces and nephews.

Gerry started work at the age of 16 on August 4, 1943 for International Shoe Co, later renamed Florsheim Shoe Factory, Later renamed Wolverine where she was employed forty-five years until retiring.

Gerry enjoyed working with her hands such as carpentry work. She helped build two homes, on of which they lived in, a farm on Route 11, West of Kirksville, MO, where she enjoyed working with animals (especially horses and sheep), and renovated a home. She also enjoyed stock car races. Gerry always enjoyed time spent with her family and many friends.

Geraldine was a devoted Christian and a member of the First Church of the Nazarene of Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2026 with family receiving friends for on hour before service time at Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville. Pastor Ralph Wheeler will officiate the service and interment will follow the service at Ownbey Cemetery in Kirksville.

Memorial donations in memory of Gerry may be made to Ownbey Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.