Frances Sarah Evans-Pratt

Frances Sarah Evans-Pratt
February 15, 1928 - September 10, 2021


Frances Evans–Pratt, beloved wife, mother, sister, friend, and lover of God’s creatures lived a lively, creative life, and peacefully departed at age 93 in Stillwater, Oklahoma, from this earthly existence, surely dancing into her eternal home.

A very vibrant, active person, born February 15,1928 in Slaton, Texas to Vance and Evelyn Evans, Frances always had a love of animals - from a baby alligator which she attempted to raise in a bathtub, to an 1800 pound buffalo, named Miss Kitty, raised from infancy with her 2nd husband, David Pratt. In the beginning of her married life, she and her first husband, Charley Chesshir, raised and showed Cocker Spaniels at many dog shows and competitions which were attended with their only daughter, Cherie, in tow in a stroller. Frances and Charlie enjoyed the outdoors, camping in many states and trout fishing in the canyons of New Mexico. She always enjoyed nature, gardening throughout her life in: El Paso, Texas, Albuquerque, New Mexico-where she grew a dozen varieties of irises and roses bordered by petunias and pansies, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, as well as working the land with her beloved husband of 21 years, David Pratt, in Perkins, Oklahoma.

As an amateur artist, seamstress, and cook, Frances was full of creativity in many aspects of her life. She painted in oils, pastels, and watercolors. She sewed stylish clothing for herself and daughter from satin and velvet to beautiful wool, as well as adding tulle and sequins to ballet costumes for a professional studio’s production of “Swan Lake” in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Later in her life, she entered competition dancing with the Fred Astaire Studio, and was hired by participants to make their gowns, adding beading and feathers to her original designs. Her creativity in cooking ranged from homemade Waldorf salad to green chile enchiladas, and holiday divinity, fudge, and pecan pies. She would take a weekend a month and prepare enough food to make her own well balanced “ TV dinners” which were stored in a huge garage freezer for after those late, nighttime ballet rehearsals, as well as after her part time work for a pharmacy where she was a buyer for make-up, skin care, and high-end costume jewelry.

In addition to all this creativity, Fran was organized and detailed which was so valuable as an administrative secretary for TG&Y headquarters advertising department for 35 years in Oklahoma City. One of her proudest moments at TG&Y before retiring was being featured in their Golden Quill Newsletter after meeting actress, Yvonne DeCarlo, who had starred with her daughter, Cherie, in the musical, “Dames at Sea”. Retirement did not halt her creative zest for life as Fran (as she was known by many friends) became co-owner of the historic Patio Restaurant/Hi-Lo club in Oklahoma City, hosting dart competitions, and providing theatrical venues for performers for some years.

Fran’s love for all creatures great and small attracted people and animals to love and nurture. She will be missed by many, especially Richard (Buddy), Shelly, Samantha, Mona, Randy, Jim, Kevin, and many wonderful staff at Westhaven nursing home where she spent her final seven months.

She is survived by; daughter-Cherie B. Danielle-Lemos, and son-in-law-Edward Lemos, both of Mamaroneck, New York, step granddaughter–Julia Lemos of Minneapolis, Minnesota, sister-Betty Covert, nephew-Dana Paul Covert and wife-Linda Covert, all of Evansville, Indiana, niece-Carol Scott and husband-Terry Scott of Nampa, Idaho, and many cousins throughout the United States. Officiating pastor, Linda Covert, conducted a private memorial ceremony on the Pratt family acreage the beautiful morning of September 14, 2021. Frances was laid to rest beside her beloved husband, David, on October 28, 2021, with Father Michael Pratt officiating, in Perkins, Oklahoma.