Van Aubrey Evans, 74, of Raymond, went to be with his Lord on June 12, 2014, after a long battle  with multiple myeloma.

Visitation will be 11a.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home, 106 Cynthia St., Clinton, with services conducted by the Rev. Billy Brumfield at 1p.m. at the funeral home, followed by burial at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Vicksburg.

Born on May 22, 1940, in Valley Park, Van was the son of James William and Cleo Evelyn Hale Evans. He attended Raymond High School, Hinds Junior College, Mississippi State University, and received a master’s degree in business administration from Mississippi College.

He retired from the Mississippi Department of Economic & Community Development, in 1999, and had served on several boards in the Jackson area, most recently as president of the Board of Trustees for the Hinds County Economic Development District.

Van had been very active in the Masonic Lodge since 1966.  A 33rd degree Mason, he also served as presiding officer of the three Grand York Rite bodies in Mississippi, honorary grand master of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi and in various positions nationally.  His Masonic friends were a large part of his life and most dear to his heart.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Linda Murrah Evans; sons, Dusty (Kim) Evans of Flowood, Robert W. (Mari) McCord of Zachary, La., Edward S. (Lynne) McCord of Spring, Texas, and Steven W. (Becky) McCord of Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Brittany and Brandon Evans, Cory, Casey, Adam, Elizabeth, Alex and Bobby McCord; brothers, James W. (Connie) Evans of Rowland Heights, Calif., Max Evans of Vicksburg, Kenneth Evans of Jackson, Leroy (Sue) Evans of Raymond, and Raymond (Wandra) Evans of Vicksburg; sister-in-law, Wanda Murrah Durossette of Raymond; and nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces and  cousins.

Van was predeceased by his parents, brother John David Evans; sister, Cleo Evelyn Evans Harrison; brother-in-law Ronald W. Harrison; sister-in-law Erma Sadler Evans; and his grandmother, Cora Moore Hale, who raised the younger children after the death of his parents.

Serving as pallbearers will be nephews Keith Evans, David Evans, Gene Evans, Carl Evans, Mike Evans and Jimmy Dwyer.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the Masonic fraternity.

Special thanks and love to Drs. George Smith-Vaniz and Martin Newcomb, their staff, and the nurses and staff at Central Mississippi Medical Center.