Laila Marttila Evans

HENDERSON- Laila Marttila Evans, 98, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 29, 2024. Laila was born on May 6, 1926 in Liminga, Michigan to the late John Henry Marttila and Alma Evelina Saari Marttila. She was a graduate of Houghton High School in Houghton, MI. After graduation she left to seek employment in Detroit, MI. When the war ended she traveled to Tacoma, WA where she met her soldier husband. After marriage they made their home in Warrenton for a number of years. She was a member of First Congregational Christian Church, the Adult Sunday School Class and a former choir member. She was a former volunteer at Maria Parham Hospital. She retired from the Vance County Health Department after 18 years of service as a clerk. She dearly loved the Lord, her family and her Finnish heritage and would talk to whoever would listen about them. As a young girl she loved to sing and taught herself to play the harmonica and how to yodel. She loved her traveling adventures with her family and friends. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. at First Congregational Christian Church by Rev. George Williams and Rev. Eddie Nutt. Burial will follow at Sunset Gardens. She is survived by her daughter, Gayle Evans Davis (Dennis); her son, Sidney John Evans; her granddaughter, Heather Davis Taylor (Keith); her great-grandson, Bryson Keith Taylor; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Brooks Allen Evans, a son, Duane Brooks Evans; nine brothers, George, Arthur, Joel, Oskar, Ernest, Levi, Walfred, Leo and Raymond Marttila; and four sisters, Olga Kolehmainen, Ellen Hyttinen, Evelyn Kivi, and Hanna Lupan. Serving as pallbearers will be Bryson Taylor, Steve Manning, Butch Wilson, Zack Wilson, Billy Satterwhite and Dan Dickle. The family will receive friends prior to the service Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at First Congregational Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Congregational Christian Church, c/o Jean Sams, 1434 Plum Nutty Road, Henderson, NC 27537.