Ellen Sarah Pestalozzi Brown '63

Ellen Pestalozzi Evans of Butler, AL passed away on Friday, March 1, 2024. She was 78 years old.

Born July 15, 1945, Ellen Sarah started life in Manhattan’s West Village. She graduated high school from the Dreux School in Evreux, France, about 60 miles west of Paris, and then returned to the United States where she enrolled as a college freshman at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

It was here that she met her life partner, William Albert (Bert) Evans. Ellen and Bert were married in 1965 and soon thereafter moved back to Bert’s native Butler, AL, where they spent the next 50 years raising a family and being active members of the community.

Ellen defined herself first as a wife and mother, and she embraced both roles fully. She was a sage sounding board and steady counsel for Bert as he navigated his banking career. Born a city girl and educated in Europe, she learned how to cook game, hook a minnow and clean a fish. She sewed; planted and cut the grass; designed, decorated and cleaned her home; read books; played bridge and tennis; and loved to walk. She was a marvelous cook and is still remembered by many for her chocolate chip cookies, toffee and sweet pickles, to name a few.

Ellen was also a dedicated member of the local community. She served on various committees and boards of the Choctaw County Public Library, the United Methodist Church of Butler and the United Methodist Women, Patrician Academy, the Dogwood Garden Club, several bridge clubs, the Lego Libris book club, and others. Earlier in her life, she was an active member of the local Civiettes, a Cub Scouts den mother, and, through her sons, a Little League sponsor.   

Later in life, Ellen cultivated two of her greatest passions: she took extensive oil painting lessons, and she became a certified master gardener. She also took much delight in her six grandchildren, hosting them for long visits at “Camp Lake Lavada” and for holidays, where she and Bert directed and produced a steady flow of entertainment and made-to-order meals.

Ellen is survived by her three sons, Dansby, Hank and Bo; two daughters in law, Chrystie Sanders Evans and Jenny Bresler Evans; 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First UMC of Butler, the Choctaw County Public Library or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Visit bumpersfuneralhome.com to sign the online register and post condolences to the family.

Arrangements by Bumpers Funeral Home of Butler.