Ronald Evans

Waynesville – Ronald “Ronnie” Wayne Evans, 64, passed away on Monday, February 20, 2023, at CarePartners Solace Center.

Ronnie was a native of Haywood County and a son of James Richard and Blanche Knight Evans.  He was a true friend to those around him, he loved his family and friends more than life itself. When Ronnie loved you, it was an unconditional love that grew stronger each day. He was musically gifted and played many instruments that he enjoyed immensely.  Ronnie started a band in middle school and continued with his musical talents for many years, his greatest joy was mixing sound for bands, he said, "It’s like I get to play all of the instruments". Keith Arnold supported Ronnie in his love of music, and they would sit and pick together, enjoying each other's company.  Keith took him to spend the day with Artimus Pyle and he enjoyed every minute he was there, and his last musical adventure was to go with Keith to mix for Lee Greenwood at one of his Veteran's shows, he beamed every time he talked about the show.

In 2011,  Ronnie reconnected with the love of his life and his high school sweetheart, Jean Messer and they have been together and enjoying adventures ever since. They met at Cataloochee in high school and decided that was the perfect place for their wedding.  When life got complicated, that was their special place to go. Ronnie was always by Jean’s side throughout all their adventures, and they enjoyed their final years together immensely.

He was a professional residential and commercial painter by trade and took great pride in his work. Ronnie, his dad, and Jean enjoyed walleye fishing at night and fly fishing together so much, there are so many wonderful memories of our trips. He enjoyed being on the lake and camping with his family and friends at Lake Fontana. Ronnie's children and grandchildren and his bonus family brought him much joy. His first grandchild, Stella, had him wrapped around her fingers and he would do anything that she wanted to do and a smile as wide as the ocean would appear on his face when he saw her.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife of five years, Beverly Jean Messer-Evans; three daughters, Cortney Evans, Kara Deaver (Jonah) and Brea Evans; son Dustin Evans; a bonus daughter, Amanda Greene; two granddaughters, Stella Chavis and Ellie Henson Deaver; a bonus granddaughter, Caitlyn Traber; two bonus grandsons, Colby and Ethan Traber; two brothers, Jimmy Evans (Tina) and Neal Evans; numerous sisters and Brothers-in-law; aunts and uncles; nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of whom he cared deeply for; two dear friends who were like brothers, Keith Arnold and Keith Smith; and a friend who helped with his caregiving, Tracy Reece.

Special thanks to the doctors and all the staff at Massino Cancer Center; and to Mission Hospital Nurses on the Oncology Floor, each of you made my husband feel so special; Haywood EMS and Jonathan Creek First Responders; and to friends and family for all the prayers said for our family and food brought during Ronnie’s illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in the chapel of Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville with Pastor Chris Willett officiating the service.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 501 7th Ave., Suite 230, New York, New York 10018 or Jonathan Creek Fire Department First Responders 149 Corner Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786.

The care of Ronnie has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com