Patty Jo "Pj" Chavez

Funeral services for Patty Jo “PJ” Chavez, 67, of Zavalla, Texas, formerly of Jacksonville, Illinois, will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Trey Ainsworth officiating. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Carroway Funeral Home.

PJ was born November 1, 1955, in Jacksonville, Illinois to Henry Leroy Mallicoat Jr. and Joyce Natalie (Crabtree) Mallicoat. She ascended to Heaven on Thursday, August 10, 2023, in San Augustine, Texas. She was first married to Andre Michael Chavez and is currently married to Randy Earl Evans.

PJ graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1973 and from Passavant School of Nursing in 1976. She followed in her mother’s footsteps as a career RN. Her career spanned 40 years as a NICU pediatric nurse, helicopter transport nurse, travel nurse, and home health nurse. She began her career as a Neonatal Pediatric ICU Nurse at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Illinois and later worked at the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. In her later years she served as a home health care RN in East Texas and ended her career at the Lufkin State Supported Living Center.

PJ was a devoted mother, wife, and daughter. She brought joy and laughter to everyone around her. She was a character and loved to make people laugh. She loved to travel, experience different cultures, listen to music, cook, enjoy a glass of wine and dance. She was strong woman who provided for her family and cared for those in need. She was a free spirit and a peacekeeper. Her memory will forever live on in the many lives she touched on this earth. May she rest in peace.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her mother, Joyce Mallicoat of Jacksonville, Illinois; along with her aunt, Patsy Erickson of Jacksonville, Illinois; her husband, Randy Evans of Zavalla, Texas; her only son, Andre Colin Chavez and his wife Ashley of Grand Prairie, Texas;  nephew, Michael Joseph Mallicoat and his wife Crystal of Zavalla; niece-in-law, Michelle Smith and her husband Brett of Zavalla; sister-in-law, Donna Hayes of Zavalla; brother-in law, Joaquin Chavez and his wife Ursula of San Diego, California; sister in-law, Anna Michele Klees and her husband Paul of Stronghurst, Illinois; sister-in-law, Yolanda Chavez-Gomez and her husband Carlos of San Diego, California; sister-in-law, Marcie Chavez of San Diego, California; and best friend, Susie Tapscott (Brennan) of Jacksonville, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Andre Michael Chavez; his parents, Aline and Jack; her father, Henry Mallicoat; twin brother, Michal Leroy Mallicoat; great nephew, Joseph Dakota (Cody) Mallicoat; and infant brother, Danny Lee Mallicoat.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.