Neva Louise Evans Nicholas, 97, of Burlington Junction, Missouri passed away on January 25, 2011 at Parkdale Manor Care Center, Maryville, Missouri.

She was born near Bedison, Missouri on May 9, 1913 to Floyd Sanford and Nellie Orrell (Swearingen) Evans.  Neva’s family moved near Ravenwood when she was in first grade.  She graduated from Harmony High School in 1930.  Neva received her teaching certificate  from Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College, Maryville. She married Robert Leroy Nicholas on February 19, 1932 in Atchison, Kansas.  The couple lived in rural Burlington Junction near where Neva taught.  She rode a horse to Eudora School where she taught from 1945 to 1947.

Neva and Robert built a new house three miles west and one-half south of Burlington Junction on Highway 136.  Their son, Terry Evans Nicholas was born August 3, 1952. He and his family still live on the home place.

Neva was an active member of the Rosanna Chapter #262 of the Order of the Eastern Star. On May 23, 1951 Neva had joined the Burlington Junction Chapter #462 where she served as Worthy Matron of from 1959 – 1976. Neva was also Past District Deputy Grand Matron 1975.  In 2011 she was a sixty year member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Neva was a long time member of the Burlington Junction First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she was a member of the CWF, a Sunday School teacher, youth group leader and

helped with Vacation Bible School. Neva received a plaque in honor of her seventy years of

membership, contributions and leadership in the church, on November 22, 2009.

Neva hosted Neva’s Bunch once a month at the West Nodaway Community Center, (currently Kiss My Grits Kafe). The gathering consisted of a meal and a great deal of visiting.  Neva would crochet or make some kind of favor depending on the time of the year.

Neva was preceded in death by her husband: Robert, in1965; her parents:  Floyd and Nellie Evans; her brothers: Theron Evans and Warren Evans; sisters-in-law: Roberta Brown, Emma Jean Evans and Leona Evans and a brother-in-law:  Wilbur “Pete” Sherlock.

Surviving Neva’s passing is her son: Terry and wife:  Kay (Bennett) Nicholas, grandson: Connor Nicholas, Burlington Junction.  Neva is also survived by sisters: Meredith Sherlock, Burlington Junction and Ruth Evans, Maryville.  In addition she is survived by cousins, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, and by Terry’s Mother and Father-in-law:  Faye and Junior Bennett.

She will be missed by many dear friends.  Neva was a wonderful mother, a funny, non-interfering mother-in-law and a loving grandmother.  She had a good sense of humor, a twinkle in her blue eyes and a true and faithful love for God. 

Visitation will be 6-8 pm on Thursday, January 27, 2011 at the First Christian Church in Burlington Junction, Missouri 

Funeral Services will be held at the Burlington Junction Christian Church on Friday, January 28^th  at 10:30 am with Pastor Matt Limback officiating.  There will be an Eastern Star Ceremony performed by the Rosanna Chapter #262 at the funeral service.

Burial will be in Ohio Cemetery, Burlington Junction, Missouri.   

Memorials may be directed to the First Christian Church of Burlington Junction or to SSM Hospice of Northwest Missouri, Maryville.

Price Funeral Home, (www.pricefuneralhomemaryville.com.), Maryville, Missouri.