Oct. 30, 1926-July 25, 2022
Evelyn Maxine Woods Fons, 95, passed away July 25, 2022. She was born on Oct. 30, 1926, in Gem County’s Emmett, Idaho, to Amos G. and Mildred B. Brandon Woods. She had a sister, Fern and two brothers, Amos and Kenny. Kenny was killed in an accident at age 20.
Her father passed away at age 79, her mother at age 89, brother and sister in their early 80s. In spite of many health problems, polio, cancer and heart problems, she outlived all of her family. She always said she owed her life to her dear rocket scientist husband who did bio-medical research on all her illnesses and alternative treatments. He also lived to be 92, (passing away in 2014) and all of his family passed away in their late 70s or early 80s.
Evelyn grew up on a farm in Idaho in a farming community and attended a one-room schoolhouse for the first eight grades and then graduated from Emmett High School. In 1944 she played clarinet in the junior orchestra.
After graduation she moved to Portland, Oregon, and worked in an office at Williamette Iron and Steel during the war years. She married and had a son, James Franklin McMillan, born Jan. 25, 1946. Evelyn divorced and moved back to Emmett. She then moved to Lewiston, Idaho, where she worked at a radio station. In 1951 she moved to California where she attended business college and became an accountant which was her profession for several years. She worked for an advertising agency for several years supporting her son, managing the office staff and the accounting department.
Evelyn contracted polio, which affected her left side, so she began ballet lessons as therapy. Her ballet master asked her to be his partner in an act that he and his ex-wife had done. They had an agent and Evelyn danced professionally with him for a number of years doing stage and movie work.
Evelyn married Phil C. Fons on Nov. 12, 1963. They joined The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints in 1964 and were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple in 1965. She served many stake missions and worked at the LA Genealogy Library.
Evelyn served as Dance Director, Sunday School Secretary, SS School Teacher for the 7–10-year olds and several other capacities. She always kept busy doing artwork for roadshows, etc.
Phil and Evelyn moved to St. George, Utah, in 1976 and built a home in Bloomington where they lived for 27 years before moving into town. They served as stake missionaries, member location missionaries, tour guides at the Brigham Young and Jacob Hamblin homes, Pine Valley Chapel, the visitor center for many years and three full-time missions.
Phil and Evelyn served in Paris, Kentucky, starting a little branch where Phil served as branch president and Evelyn as Relief Society president. That little branch is now a ward and has a beautiful building in Paris. They kept in touch with their dear friends in Kentucky.
Evelyn’s son Jim passed away September 2013 leaving his wife, Mi and son, Joshua, age 17. Jim’s daughter, Jenny Lynn McMillan, passed away at age 31 in 2000, leaving three little boys: Rocky, Hunter and Creed. These three great-grandsons were adopted by Kuen and Andrea Domiano and their cousin Caden, who become their brother. Later the family was joined by adopted daughters, Eden and Nia. Caden, Joshua, Rocky each have children adding four to Evelyn’s posterity for her to love.
Evelyn often said she was like President Hinckley, the last leaf on the tree as she outlived all of the family – parents and siblings.
Funeral services will be held Monday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building located at 449 S. 300 E. (St. George East Stake Center) in St. George, Utah. There will be a viewing prior to services from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the St. George City Cemetery located at 600 East Tabernacle Street.
Click here to live stream the service through the Metcalf Mortuary website.
Evelyn’s family and friends would like to thank Sterling Court for their exemplary care for the last four years and to Dixie Hospice for their compassionate care during her last week.
Arrangements are under the care of Metcalf Mortuary, (435) 673-4221. Visit the Metcalf Mortuary website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.