by AdriAnne Larsen
alarsen@cherryroad.com

If there were ever a representation of blooming where one is planted, Beverly Evans would be just that. Evans was born in a small farming town in Idaho and, after meeting her husband at Utah State University and finishing their degrees, they moved to the Uintah Basin, specifically Altamont.

Since moving to the Basin, Evans made it her home and began contributing to the community, a trait that she would continue for years and years to come.

With her degree in education she worked in the English, drama, and debate departments of Duchesne and Union high schools as well as at Utah State University Uintah Basin and UBTech. After her teaching years, she spent years fighting for public education in the political and government spheres.

Lezlee Whiting shared what she believes one of Evans’ defining qualities.

“Throughout her life service has defined her character,” said Whiting. “She always emphasized that doing what you can when and where you can was most important.”

Evans spent 12 years in the Utah State House and eight years in the Utah State Senate. During her years of service she served on and chaired numerous high-ranking House and Senate committees and boards.

She also worked hard to establish House Bill 110 which has brought millions of dollars of funding back to the Uintah Basin for the past 25 years. Her consistent efforts brought about the construction of the USU building in Roosevelt and led to construction of UBTech’s Vernal campus.

She also fought to prevent cuts to public education funding to what was, at the time, UBATC. Representative Gordon Snow, who worked with Evans for years is impressed with her dedication.

“Her dedication to everything she did was unmatched, it is just who she is,” Snow said. “It was never about her. Beverly was there to represent the people of the Uintah Basin. It was about how she could make the Basin better.”

She also spent time in Somalia teaching English and serving as a liaison between the Somali government and a team of Utah government officials. She also served for years with the 4-H clubs, organizing mock legislature for them, started the Holly Fair in Roosevelt, and she and was the UBIC president.

Commissioner Irene Hansen, who worked with Evans for many years also highlighted her work ethic.

“The word I would use to describe her would be ‘undaunted,’” she said. “It doesn’t matter what she is facing, she doesn’t hesitate to tackle it head-on and with a smile. She is consistently positive and she has been a staunch supporter of our community, our county and the entire Uintah Basin through so many ups and downs and booms and busts.” Beverly Evans