1933-2025

Emma Lou Evans Martin, 92, was born to Oscar and Hettie Mae Sargent Evans in Roosevelt Co. New Mexico on January 18, 1933. She passed from this earthly life on November 6, 2025 in Tatum, NM following a brief illness. The baby of her family, Emma Lou was the last of 8 brothers and sisters and the only one to live to 80. She was so proud of having lived such a long life and would've been 93 on her next birthday.

Emma Lou grew up SW of Dora, NM. Raised by hard-working, devoted parents, she had an idyllic childhood spent playing in the orchards and swimming in the pond and tank. Her family farmed, raised cattle and ran a dairy. All the kids had nicknames and her daddy called her Louse.

After high school, Emma Lou married Clarence Jefferson Harris, on June 2, 1950, in Portales, NM. They had 2 children, Ronnie Val and Dianna Sue. After living in Portales, Bledsoe and Earth, Texas, and Tatum, NM, the family moved to Lovington, NM where Clarence was with the Sheriff's Department. Emma Lou lived there for the rest of her life.

It was a busy life. Emma Lou worked for many years at Lovington National Bank. On May 23, 1974, she married her 2nd husband, Carroll Martin, and retired from the bank. His position as General Manager of Lea Co. Electric Cooperative required quite a bit of travel. The opportunity to go places, and experience parts of the world she'd never seen, was an exciting time in Emma Lou's life.

Emma Lou was a fabulous seamstress, a great cook and very artistic. She began china painting in 1977 and was still painting until just a few years ago. She exhibited her work for many years at the Lea Co. Fair and won many prizes for the beautiful pieces she painted. All of her kids are thrilled to have those pieces in their homes now.

Emma Lou also loved to play golf and bridge. She was a member of the Chat and Chew Bridge Club for many years. She also participated in several local organizations such as the Lovington Woman's' Club and the Iris Garden Club.

Emma Lou was a devoted member of the Third and Central Church of Christ. Raised in a Christian home, she loved the Lord and spent her life studying His Word and being a Godly example to her children and family.

Emma Lou was very close to her brothers and sisters. As the youngest of the family, she stayed in close contact with them. As she out-lived all of them, Emma Lou remained very close to her nieces and nephews. The family has a long-standing tradition of meeting every December for the Evans Family Christmas. Started in 1935, the family has met faithfully, except for one year during Covid, for 90 years! This year was bittersweet as it was the 1st one Mema missed. She'd be pleased to know that the cousins who can will continue to meet and celebrate the birth of Jesus and this very close, very special Evans family.

As her mobility problems increased, Emma Lou realized that her home was no longer a safe place for her to live. She made the decision to move to Good Life Senior Living. She spent the last 6 year there, with several of her good friends, being well taken care of by the sweet, caring staff. It was such a gift to us knowing she was safe and happy to be there. Thank you, Good Life, for taking such good care of our Mema.

We're already missing this fun, funny, smart, brave and talented mother of ours. Life will never be the same without her, but we wouldn't have her back for anything. She's with Jesus, where all of her children want, and are going to be, and we'll all be together again, forever.

Thank you, Mother and Mema, for loving and mothering us all so well.

We all love and miss you.

A memorial service will be held, in Emma Lou's honor, on Sat. January 10, at 1:30 pm.

at Third and Central Church of Christ Lovington, NM with David Stewart and Doug Hale officiating.

Flowers and memorial gifts of your choosing are welcome.

A favorite of Emma Lou's is the NM Christian Children's Home

1356 NM 236

Portales, NM 88130

Emma Lou was preceded in death by her parents

Her brothers: Edward Lauvell Evans

Eldon Wayne Evans

Lee Edwin Evans

Oscar Evans, Jr.

Her sisters: Malena Evans Hayes

Edna B. Evans Goodwin

Winona Evans

She is survived by her sons, Ronnie Val (Kim) Harris and John Bradley (MaryBeth) Martin

her daughters, Dianna Sue Harris and Shea (Joe) Martin Chew

Grandchildren: DeLane (BJ) Harris Corbin and Tobi (Zac) Harris Jarrett

Cody Bill Martin and Teisha K (David) O'Brian

Doug (Kristie) D'Jang and Duncan D'Jang

Great Grands: Tyler McCreary, Zoey Harris (Jonathan) Paredes,

Zakery Corbin, Colter Corbin and Bailey Jarrett

Haley O'Brian (Pablo Martinez) and Paul (Jazmin) O'Brian

Jordan and Jace D'Jang

Great, great grands: Amelia, Jada and Mila Paredes

Adryan, Adalynn, Ailynn, Ashlynn Martinez

Sophia, Kenslee Kay, Paul and Aria O'Brian