Noel Richard Evans


Noel Richard Evans
Noel Richard (Rick) Evans, 51, of Roanoke, died Tuesday, July 17, 2007 as the result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Sunday, July 15, 2007. He was a member of Lion of Judah Ministries, Bedford, where he faithfully served as drummer for the praise team. Rick was an avid golfer and motorcycle enthusiast. He always showed his faith and love in the Lord to his children, Spc. Adam Evans, ARNG, Nicholas Michael Evans, Christopher Allen Hayth, Tiffany Dawn Evans ,and Angela Michelle Evans. Also, surviving are his sister, Karleen Page; brother, Michael E. Evans and wife, Linda; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Memorials may be made to Lion of Judah Ministries, P.O. Box 1463, Bedford, VA 24523. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2007, at Oakey's North Chapel. Pastor Travis Witt will officiate. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at Oakey's North Chapel, 362-1237. Published in the Roanoke Times on 7/19/2007.

7/20/07: Thanks so much for all of your heartfelt prayers... I receive them in Jesus' Name! It was hard, hard, hard seeing my brother like that, but as my other brother said, "It doesn't look like Rick because Rick isn't here."

We had the most unique funeral/celebration service I've ever been to. It will set a high standard for all the services to come! Music was awesome (Rick had been a drummer in his church's praise team), my brother Mike played a drum with a basically black group who were powerful. We stood and clapped and danced and praised God.

Then Mike's pastor preached a wonderful salvation message, and then he opened up the floor for people to reminisce about Rick, and several, including myself, participated. My nephew and cousin had created a slide show of pictures that he showed us with music. THEN we went outside and a dove was released, and a troop of Rick's motorcycle buddies did a special ride in his honor. All in all it took about 2 hours.

I felt your prayers, the peace that passes all understanding, and a release to worship that I hadn't felt since Jim died.

It was a real celebration of a wonderful man who opened his heart of love to many that "normal" Christians never try to minister to.

Two thoughts also sustained me:
One, Rick went home to MOM.
Two, Rick is rocking heaven!

7/22/07: Today there was a tribute service for Ricky at his church, Lion of Judah, in Bedford VA. The pastor related his sermon to Ricky's love for people and emphasis on relationships. My brother Mike tried to participate in Praise and Worship, but he lost it when he looked over to the empty drum set where Ricky usually played.

But Mike and two other gentlemen gave us an awesome drum concert in Rick's honor. Mike played an African drum, another guy played congas, and another played the drum set.

Then the pastor opened up the floor for those who wanted to share a memory or a thought about Rick, and how he touched their lives. Everyone agreed that he gave "the best hugs"! One lady said that she saw him playing an unbelievable drum set in Heaven, with about 100 drums. Another said she saw that as well, and saw Jesus playing a duet with Rick on drums, and then saw Rick dancing before the Throne as Jesus played, and then Jesus dancing as Rick played.

After the service, we went to the pastor's parents' home for the church picnic, which was also dedicated to Rick's memory with his family as honored guests. After lots of food, happy conversation and swimming, the pastor held a baptismal service in the pool, and my niece's husband was one of those baptized.

It really helped to have them honor my brother this way, and I thanked the pastor for providing an environment where my brother felt free to develop his talent and ministry for music.

Oh I miss him terribly, but it would be a travesty if I allowed hopeless sorrow to mar his memory. He was all about making others feel loved and happy. I want to keep that in mind always.

Love, Karleen

Little Aiden, my great nephew, prayed that God would give Rick a new motorcycle so he could fly over the moon. I kind of believe He did.