Staff Sergeant Stephen Masten Evans

Staff Sergeant (SSG) Stephen Masten Evans July 12, 1985 - September 5, 2011 SSG Stephen Masten Evans, 26, formerly of West End, N.C., passed away Monday afternoon at his home in Honolulu, Hawaii. Stephen is survived by his parents, Raymond and Sherri Evans of West End, N.C.; brothers, Justin Evans of Greenville, N.C., Brandon Evans of the home; grandparents, Nicky and Carolyn Futrell of Candor, N.C., Elsa Evans of Marysville, CA., Cliff Evans of Fortuna CA., Robert and Betty Carroll of Lillington, N.C.; great-grandmother, Geraldine B. Williams of Candor, N.C.; aunts and uncles- Bobby and Helen Williams of Eagle Springs, N.C., David Williams of Candor, N.C., Chris and Sundee Williams of Raleigh, N.C., Ron Evans of Folsom, CA. and numerous cousins. Also, he is survived by his soul mate, Melissa Bennett of Erie, CO. Stephen made a friend for life with everyone he came in contact with and leaves behind many friends and soldiers who remember him for his charismatic energy, infectious smile and happy-go-lucky attitude. He was preceded into death by his beloved grandfather, James L. "Pepa" Williams, Jr., and aunt, Kelly Carroll. Stephen was born July 12, 1985 in Pinehurst, N.C. and graduated from Pinecrest High School in 2003. He joined the United States Army in 2005 and served as a combat medic and was a combat veteran serving two tours in Iraq. He ended his career at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, HI as a shift leader in the Emergency Department. The family will receive friends, share memories and celebrate Stephen's life at Bensalem Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 2891 Bensalem Church Rd., Eagle Springs, N.C. from the hours of 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 16, at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and Stephen will be laid to rest in Bensalem Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bensalem Presbyterian Church Recreational Building Fund, PO Box 157, Eagle Springs, NC 27242 or The Wounded Warrior Project in honor of Stephen Masten Evans at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/default.aspx?tsid=72. Stephen's life may seem too short to many, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives.