Evelyn Millsap

Maxine Evelyn (Moles) Millsap was born on Oct. 27, 1935 at Dr. Fuson’s office in Mansfield, Missouri. She was the daughter of Clifford and Hassie (Shaw) Moles. Evelyn departed this life and went to meet her Lord and Savior on December 13, 2022. At the time of her passing, she was in Nixa, Missouri, with her three children, Steve, Larry, and Teresa Kemper, by her side.

Evelyn grew up on farms north of Macomb, Missouri. Evelyn was a hardworking farm girl. She graduated from Norwood High School in 1953, where along with being a stellar student, she played some serious high school softball with her sister, Avenail. The sisters were known for their home run hitting abilities and were often walked intentionally.

Evelyn met Junior E. Millsap at a revival meeting at Happy Ridge Church, north of Macomb. Junior was drafted into the United States Army in 1952 and was stationed at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. After a few months, Evelyn was on a Greyhound bus, with her mother, from Mansfield, Missouri, to El Paso, Texas, to join Junior. Evelyn and Junior were married on November 22, 1952, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, shortly after Evelyn’s arrival. While in El Paso, Evelyn gave birth to Steve Allan Millsap. When Junior completed his tour of duty and was honorably discharged in early 1954, the three moved back to Wright County, Missouri. They bought the Wright County, Woods Township, 40 acre farm in October 1954, where Evelyn called home to the end of her life. It was here where Evelyn gave birth to Larry Gene Millsap and Teresa Lynn (Millsap) Kemper. Evelyn loved working on the farm, growing her gardens, canning the produce, and caring for her children.

While Steve and Larry were small, Evelyn picked strawberries and other fruits and berries for neighbors, Marlow and Ruth Ferris, to make extra money. This was her first paying job. After Steve and Larry started school, Evelyn wanted to find a job working off the farm, so in 1960 she hired on as a waitress at Robert’s Café (now L.A. Café) on the Mountain Grove square. She and Junior enjoyed the little extra income. After four months of waiting tables, Evelyn left the café and went to work for Brown Shoe Company. There she worked in the finishing department where she, and others, prepared the women’s shoes for wrapping and boxing. She was paid a “piece price” there, where she was paid by the pair of shoes she finished. This is where her senses for quality, detail, and production manifested themselves. She worked at Brown Shoe from 1960 until its closing in 1995. Junior had retired from MODOT seven years prior to the shoe factory closing. They both decided to be together, working on the farm and enjoying life. This is where Evelyn developed her love for fishing and turkey hunting. They so enjoyed their fishing trips to the area lakes and even into Oklahoma and early mornings in a turkey blind. They also enjoyed some traveling to California, Montana, and Texas, along with helping Larry and Teresa build new homes.

In 2000, Evelyn felt the calling to go back to work. It was that year that she started a second career at the new Wal-Mart store in Mountain Grove. Oh, what a career it was for her. She loved the work, the associates, the managers, and the customers. She put her skills in quality, details, and production to work to help make Wal-Mart Store #88 the BEST that it could be. Adding the skills of customer service that she learned to pay off big at the café, she made a big difference. It was such a difference, that in July 2018 the Missouri House of Representative honored her with a “House Resolution” recognizing Evelyn for her exemplary and significant positive contributions to the State of Missouri, and especially the 141th District where Wal-Mart Store #88 lies. Evelyn loved her People, and her People loved her.

Evelyn was a devoted member of Willow Springs Freewill Baptist Church. She and Junior joined the Church in 1963.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Cecil Moles and Robert Moles, her loving husband, Junior E. Millsap.

She is survived by her sister, Anna Avenail Jones of Macomb, Missouri; son, Steve Millsap of Austin, Texas; son, Larry Millsap and wife, Terri (Christensen) Millsap of Springfield, Missouri; daughter, Teresa Kemper and husband, Todd Kemper of Nixa, Missouri. Evelyn has six grandchildren: Michael Millsap, Joshua Millsap, Tiffany (Millsap) Gulledge, Sarah Millsap, Kristan (Kemper) Francis, and Lucas Kemper, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Evelyn loved and cherished her family and her family loved and cherished her. Her family loved her caring and sharing heart and her canned green beans, oatmeal cookies, and strawberry jam. Christmas was always a treat with her black walnut fudge, peanut brittle, and peanut clusters. Her oatmeal cake was a favorite regardless of the event or holiday.

Evelyn lived a life of hard work, determination, excellence, and caring. She left this life that same way. She will remain in the hearts of those who met her and will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege and blessing of meeting and truly knowing her.