Mary Ellen (Bird) Evans

Mary Ellen (Bird) Evans, 89, passed away June 29, 2026, in Oklahoma City, OK. She was surrounded by family and went peacefully.

As per her request, there will be no memorial service. A celebration of her life and the spreading of her and Cayson's ashes will be at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory.

Mary was born December 1, 1936, in Pampa, TX, to Milo and Barbara Bird. Mary was a lifetime resident of Pampa, graduating from Pampa High School in 1955, then marrying Cayson Eddie Evans, the love of her life, in 1957. Cayson and Mary had three children, Susan Eleanor, Cayson Eddie Jr. (stillborn), and Peter Cayson.

Mary’s talents were centered around her family and in turning a house into a home. She was a magical cook, and Wednesdays were always bread baking day. She started baking an extra sheet of buns because of the influx of high school students that just happened to ‘drop by’ after school on bread day. Her Christmas gifts of baked goodies were eagerly anticipated every year, and her wild plum jelly was sublime.

Mary’s artistic talents extended into being a masterful seamstress and textile artist. Among her creations were the 1976 Band Dolls, one for each graduating senior in the PHS band made to look like them in their marching uniform and creating the cancan dresses for the first cancan dancers at the Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo, Texas; one of those dancers being her daughter, Susan. Her hand crocheted bedspread won First Place and Best in Division (Textiles) at the Amarillo Tri State Fair in 1994.

She was always supportive of the kids' activities - volunteering as a Cub Scout Den Mother, cheering and bringing snacks for softball and baseball teams, and attending every band concert and school play.

Mary was a long-time Friend of Lovett Memorial Library and imparted a love of reading to her children. She received Patron of the Year in 2021. Mary was an avid sports fan with her very favorite team being her Dallas Cowboys. The right arm of her favorite armchair did not survive the stress of their 1971 playoff season. Cayson was able to repair the chair in time for their Super Bowl win in 1972.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Cayson; her parents, her siblings Sarah Eleanor Bird Thompson, Barbara Joanne Bird Brandt, Margaret Frances Bird, Milo William Bird, Walker Bird, and Robert Donald Bird.

She is survived by her daughter Susan Metcalfe and husband James, son Pete Evans and wife Kelly Dawn, grandchildren James Daniel Metcalfe and wife Ashley, Mary Katherine Metcalfe and fiancée Andi Dema, Brady Cayson Evans, and great-grandchildren Aiden and Bryson.

Any memorials can be sent to Lovett Memorial Library at 111 N. Houston St., Pampa, TX 79065.