Beverly (Riggleman) Evans

Lorraine Beverly Evans, age 84, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at her home in Dorcas, West Virginia. She was known for her generosity, her wise counsel, her lively spirit, and her devotion to her faith and family.

Beverly was born in Dorcas, WV, on April 15, 1941, to parents Fred and Pearl (Sites) Riggleman, where she grew up on a farm along with brother Billy Monroe Riggleman and sister Anna Lee (Riggleman) Henning.

She was raised in a loving home where her parents taught her and her siblings the importance of faith, family, hard work, civic responsibility, and community involvement.

Beverly attended Petersburg High School, where she excelled as a student, and after graduating in 1958, she attended Potomac State College and West Virginia University to pursue degrees in education. She completed her master’s degree at WVU while teaching at the local high school in Morgantown.

She always knew that she wanted to be a teacher, and so after completing her studies, she went on to teach in Maryland for several years as well as at a community college in Virginia. Beverly was a very popular and well-respected teacher (the yearbook signatures from her students are a testament to her teaching and mentoring abilities!). In fact, she kept in touch with several of her students even after they graduated, offering guidance and support.

Beverly and Allen Evans knew each other from the local schools and the community at large. Of course he was instantly smitten with her. They began dating sometime after high school; she was at WVU and he was in the Army for two years. After this time, they both settled in the Maryland-D.C. area. Their romance continued, and they were married in December 1966; this December they would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Hollywood could not have written a more perfect love story.

In the early 1970s, Beverly and Allen (with daughter Allison) relocated back to Dorcas to be near both of their parents; she taught for over 30 years at the “South Branch Career and Technical Center” in Petersburg, WV, and Allen became a successful poultry farmer and state legislator.

Beverly had many interests and talents, and her elegance and sense of style were evident in all her undertakings. Family and friends remember her as an avid antique collector; she loved to peruse various markets and shops in search of unique items. Her love of flowers and gardening brought her much joy, and she and her mother had a lot of fun together, planting flowers in both yards and taking care of the houses.

She loved playing the piano; as a lover of beauty, she was drawn to the melodic sounds of the instrument and was quite talented as the pianist at the Sites Chapel Methodist Church. Her faith was very important to her and a source of her strength; she was a life-long member of the Methodist Church in the Petersburg area and was an active participant in its endeavors.

Beverly was quite the hostess and entertained so easily, welcoming family and friends into her home with her kind and big-hearted nature. Family and friends recall that some of their fondest memories are of spending time with her for gatherings and socials, long and lazy summer days and evenings, and family get-togethers. She always made her guests feel welcome.

For those closest to her, Beverly is remembered for how funny she could be – her sense of humor, her quick wit, and her comedic timing. She was truly a “funny lady,” and she kept her family in stitches with her jokes and jingles, dances, nicknames for loved ones, and her famous expressions (which family members continue to recite to this day).

Beverly is survived by her loving husband, Allen Evans; daughter Allison Evans; brother, Billy Riggleman (Sandra); sister, Anna Lee (Riggleman) Henning; granddaughter, Isabella Wood; great-grandson, Gunner Wood; foster son, Rick Cooper; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-grandnephews, and great-grand nieces who love and adore her dearly.

A funeral service will be held on Monday at 1:00 pm - April 13, 2026, at Elkhorn Chapel in Dorcas, WV with Pastor Glenn H. Vance, Jr. officiating.

Beverly’s family will receive friends from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm.

Interment will be in the Sites Cemetery in Dorcas, WV.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Beverly’s memory to Grant Memorial Hospice, payable to Hospice Promise Foundation, 100 Hospital Drive, Suite 2, Petersburg, WV 26847 or to a favorite charity of the donor’s choice.

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