Lois Irene Evans, beloved wife of Tony Evans for 49 years and founder of Pastors’ Wives Ministry, passed away Dec. 30, 2019 of biliary cancer. She was 70.

Tony, senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, shared the news on Facebook. “Just before the sun came up this morning,” he wrote, “the love of my life transitioned from earth and watched her first sunrise from heaven.”

Lois was with her husband and the couple’s four children when she died Dec. 30.

“As she slipped away, we told her how much we love her, how proud we are of her, and how thankful we are for the life she has lived,” pastor Evans wrote. “We are what we are because of her.”

Priscilla Shirer, best-selling author, actress and the Evanses’ daughter, tweeted, “Goodnight my beautiful, beloved Mommy. I’ll see you in the morning.”

The Evanses’ son, Christian music artist Anthony Evans, Jr., posted, “I love you forever, Mommy.”

Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear also expressed his condolences on Twitter. “Grieving with you and your family, Dr. Evans,” Greear tweeted. “Your and Mrs. Lois’ life and ministry have been an almost incalculable blessing to many of us.”

Marshal Ausberry, president of the National African American Fellowship of the SBC and pastor of Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfax Station, Va., shared with condolences with Baptist Press.

“Lois Evans has been a picture of a loving wife, mother, and Christian woman,” Ausberry told Baptist Press (BP) Jan. 2. “Lois Evans’ strong support of her husband enabled him to do all he did. They truly served well as a team. The Evans family has touched countless lives around the world.”

A 9 a.m. viewing and an 11 a.m. funeral are scheduled for Jan. 6 at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church.

“We are grateful for your thoughts and prayers,” pastor Evans wrote. “Many have asked how to help during this time. In honor of Lois, I would also love for you to consider sending flowers this week to your pastor’s wife. Lois loved receiving flowers but she also loved giving them. Because her passion was ministering to pastors’ wives and making sure they felt loved and cared for, your gift of flowers in her memory would be a gift to us as well.”

In lieu of flowers, he suggested “continuing the ministry to pastors’ wives that was dear to Lois’ heart” by contributing to The Urban Alternative’s Pastors’ Wives Ministry.

(EDITOR’S NOTE – Jon D. Wilke is the Media Relations director for Baptist Press.)