Sallie Evelyn Monk

Sallie “Evelyn” Monk of Prairieville, LA, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 17, 2024, at the age of 83, surrounded by her family. She will be most remembered for her steadfast love of family and her zest for life. She was also a very kind, strong and beautiful lady with remarkable resilience, where in times of difficulty she was determined to embrace each moment and move forward with joy.

Evelyn was originally from Richland Parish and shortly after graduating from Rayville High School in 1959, she married her sweetheart, Edward Joiner. After a few years, the couple moved their young family to Baton Rouge, LA, where they established their careers and raised two cherished daughters. Her husband’s illness and subsequent passing ended their love story after 29 years of marriage. Sadly, only two years later, and far too soon, she also lost her youngest daughter, Andrea Joiner. But with the grace of God, her internal strength, and the ministry of dear friends at Zoar Baptist Church, she was able to once again embrace the future with an attitude of hope and the expectation of great things to come. And they certainly did! In 1996 she met and fell in love with Howard Monk, and after marrying they made their home in Boyce, LA, living in what they affectionately called their “Lake House.” They spent many years traveling and making new friends all over the US and Canada. They were extremely happy, and after 12 years of marriage, the Lord also called Howard home. Over the course of Evelyn’s life, she was a member of several groups and organizations, and developed many lasting friendships with those she met in the Red Hat Society, the EBRP Republican Women, at Treasure Lake, and the Cajun Traveler’s RV Club, of which she was a founding member. She developed very meaningful relationships with her RV travel friends, and even though many lived far away, she held them close to her heart. Eventually the time came for her to permanently park her camper, and this led her to look for her next fun adventure. It wasn’t long before she found a large circle of friends that shared a passion for music and dancing. She enjoyed the '50-60’s music and loved to Jitterbug and Cha-Cha, so on most days she could be found on the dance floor wherever the music was playing. Her favorite dance partner once shared that all it took to make her smile was to ask, “Do you want to dance?” And as a family, we would like to express our love and most sincere gratitude to Cotton Brown for his friendship and encouragement that helped keep her active and dancing until the very end.

Yes, indeed, Evelyn experienced a joyous heavenly welcome from her Savior, Edward, Howard and Andrea, but also included in that sweet reunion were her parents, Bill and Alice Evans, and her brother, Billy Evans. Evelyn leaves behind her beloved daughter, Cindy Joiner Teague, and stepdaughter, Shelia Monk, who she loved as her very own. She is also survived by one sister, Evon Nobles and husband Ronald, along with three brothers and their wives, Bryant and Jeanette Evans, Charles and Pat Evans, and Kelly and Brenda Evans. She could not have been more proud of her grandchildren and leaves behind one granddaughter, Kristen Rupert and husband Ryan, along with two grandsons and their wives, Brad and Amanda Wall, and Ben and Ashli Wall. Last, but certainly not least, Evelyn leaves behind 8 beloved great-grandchildren that were her greatest joy on this side of heaven, Presley Wall, Holden, Beau, Lennon and Sutton Wall, and Rowan, Finley and Annie Kate Rupert. 

Visitation will take place at Resthaven Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, beginning at 9:00AM until services at 11:00 AM, officiated by Pastor Steve Foster. Graveside services to follow at 4:00 PM at Lone Cherry Cemetery in Mangham, LA, officiated by Evelyn’s nephew, Randy Joiner.