Mrs. Evelyn "Evie" Wedgeworth

Evelyn “Evie” Ann Thompson Wedgeworth left this earth on July 10, 2026, but let’s be honest… she was probably a little late getting to Heaven because she had to stop and visit with everybody along the way—or maybe dance with a child or two. God surely heard her laughing before He ever saw her. Evie was born on August 26, 1964 in Corsicana, TX, to Peggy Bilinsky and Benny Don Thompson. She and her sister, Chrissy Redd, shared more than just a birthday. Evie was born exactly three years after Chrissy on the very same day. They were sisters, best friends, partners in crime, and if those walls could talk, we’d probably all be laughing until we cried. If you asked Evie about the best decision she ever made, she’d tell you it was talking Joe Wheaton “Jody” Wedgeworth—better known to her as “Sweet Thang”—into going on a date in 1981. From then on, they were about as inseparable as two people could be. They married on June 7, 1984, and spent the next 40 years building a life full of love, family, laughter, and a whole lot of love. Jody wasn’t just her husband. He was her person. I’m sure by now she’s found Brody and Elissa and has already told them all about Jake marrying the love of his life, Arriciana “Rici” Lewis, moving back to Carthage, and Jake deciding to stay in the family business. Knowing Evie, she probably started five stories before she ever finished the first one. And if we know Brody, he’s grinning and shaking his head. If you sat down beside Evie for more than a few minutes, it wouldn’t be long before she started talking about her nieces, Lindsey Redd Tolson and Reagan Redd. She was incredibly proud of the women they had become and was overjoyed when Lindsey made her a Great-Aunt to Scarlet and later Jackson. Evie graduated from Carthage ISD in 1982 and received her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. Teaching wasn’t just a job to Evie—it was who she was. For 38 years she loved on kids, believed in them, and cheered them on. She started at Gary ISD before spending most of her career at Carthage ISD. She taught more than lessons from a book. She taught confidence, kindness, and that somebody believed in you. Years after students left her classroom, she’d still ask about them, check in on them, and celebrate what they were doing. When cancer entered Evie's story, she never asked “why me?”. She faced every doctor's appointment, every treatment, and every setback with optimism. She kept asking about everybody else, wishing everyone Happy Birthday on Facebook, praying for others, laughing along the way. She showed us what it looks like to live with courage and to leave this world with dignity. Evie would smile knowing her closest girlfriends will serve as her honorary pallbearers: Ellen Day, Amanda Lawrence, Melissa Blissett, Shelby Pittman, Kristi Pecht, Belinda Parker, Leah Haecher, and Vanessa Pittman. One final act of love that says everything about the friendships she built over a lifetime. Waiting to welcome Evie Home were her precious son, Brody Wedgeworth; her dad Benny Don Thompson; her grandparents Reagan and Mary Thompson; and so many other family and friends she had missed. Left to carry her love with them are her husband and Sweet Thang of 40 years, Joe Wheaton “Jody” Wedgeworth; her son, Jake Reese Wedgeworth, and his wife, Arriciana “Rici” Wedgeworth; her mother, Peggy Bilinsky; her sister and best friend, Chrissy Redd; her brother-in-law, Virgil Wedgeworth, and his wife, Kristi; her nieces Lindsey Redd Tolson and husband Thomas and Reagan Redd and fiancé Nolan. her cherished great-nieces, extended family, and more friends than anyone could ever count. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church with Bro. Matt Comer, Mr. Slade Wedgeworth and Mrs. Kiley Schumacher officiating. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2026 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to HeartsWay Hospice, 437 West Panola Street, Carthage, TX 75633 or Bethlehem Cemetery.

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Mrs. Evelyn "Evie" Wedgeworth

August 26, 1964 - July 10, 2026