Roy L. Evans, 86, of Dawsonville, died Jan. 8, 2011.

Born March 3, 1924 in Gilmer County to the late Lewis and Belle Evans, he had lived in Dawson County for 50 years.

Mr. Evans was employed by Wallace Farms and Country Cupboard for 30 years, after which he was employed by S&W Superette and the Dawson County Road Department.

He was a former school bus driver for both Gilmer and Dawson counties.

An avid gardener, he took great pride in both his vegetable and flower gardens. Roy was a deacon at New Hope Baptist Church and was a member of Etowah Lodge #222 F&AM.

His sisters, Leola Evans and Ora Reece; and brothers, Truman Evans, Coy Evans and Farris Evans, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Cecile Evans of Dawsonville; children, Mary and Hubert Bailey, Gary and Regina Evans, all of Dawsonville; sister, Maybelle Norton of Murrayville, Tenn.; brother and sister-in-law, Cecil and Joyce Evans of Ellijay; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Larry and Genelle Cantrell of Ellijay; grandchildren, Carol Anne and Jon Tholkes, Beth and Jason Hamby, Sam Bailey; great-grandchildren, Marley Hamby, Luke Hamby; various other relatives also survive.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

Bearden Funeral Home of Dawsonville is in charge of the arrangements.