On Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, another angelic voice was added to the Heavenly Choir.
Taken from this Earth way too soon, Erika Caroline Walker Evans, 26, was a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, niece and friend to many. Erika was a radiant, up-and-coming singer/songwriter with a heavenly voice and a beautiful soul.
She is survived by her parents Brigette Walker Martin (Kenneth B. ‘Tad’ Martin) of Lake Charles, La., and Paul F. Evans (Christine) of Austin, Texas; Her brother, Joseph Barrett ‘Rett’ Evans II of Scottsdale, Ariz.; half sister, Kate Evans of Austin, Texas; step sisters, Emily Elizabeth Martin, and Caroline Elizabeth Martin, DVM of Lake Charles; step brother, Erik Ouellette of Wiesbaden, Germany.
Erika was predeceased by her grandparents, William Carroll Walker Jr. and Cecilia Y. Walker of Tilden, Texas; Guida A. Evans-Magher and Robert Magher of Washington, D.C.; and Joseph Barrett Evans (Kansas City, Mo.)
Left to cherish her memory are her aunts and uncles, Cheryl Walker Bullen and Michael G. Bullen, MD (Rockport, Texas), Margherita and Don Pryor (Providence, R.I.), Don Evans and Dr. Sally Bloom-Feshbach (Washington D.C.), Carla O’Rourke and Jim O’Rourke ( Newport, R.I.), Steven J. Evans( McAllen, Texas); numerous cousins, especially Eric Bullen, and Leigh ‘Leelee’ Bullen of Corpus Christi, with whom she was close.
Erika lived her life in pursuit of creating beauty in the world and was multi-talented in music, poetry, and painting.
Very much a free spirit with a kind and open heart, Erika lived more life in her 26 years than most people experience in a lifetime. She was well-traveled, having spent time in Italy and Germany. After graduating from the University of Texas in Austin, with a BA in Psychology, Erika traversed the United States and during her travels she enjoyed performing. She loved singing and playing guitar as well as sharing her poetry with others. A gifted singer, Erika performed in a band called The Halfways during her college years. This past Spring Break she was a solo headliner at an iconic venue in Port Aransas, Texas.
After college, and as a resident of Austin, Texas, Erika pursued freelance writing and published a culinary tourism guide called Eat Like a Local- Austin: Austin Texas Food Guide.
Erika was born on May 10,1996 in Austin, Texas. She attended Hill Elementary School, and The Cathedral of St. Mary, Austin, Texas. She moved to Lake Charles, La., with her family in 2007 and attended Episcopal Day School and Barbe High school where she was in the Gifted Program and was cast in a singing role as the WW2 nurse in the Barbe High School production of South Pacific. Erika attended the University of Texas-Austin and graduated in May 2018.
Erika made her debut for the Krewe of Contraband during the Mardi Gras festivities in Lake Charles in February of 2017.
Her family and friends will always remember her easy going and sweet demeanor, big smile, whimsical nature and her endearing laugh. Erika was pure of heart and saw the best in everyone. She thought she could save others through acts of kindness and love yet this ultimately ended in her brutal murder by a gunshot. The senseless violence took her precious life.
A Memorial service will be held at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 at 3 p.m. Under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Hardtner Hall at the church on Friday, Oct. 7 and will continue from 1:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church. A reception will follow at Hardtner Hall immediately following services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to the following: SAFE whose mission is to Stop Abuse for Everyone in Austin, Texas. Donations may be made in memory of Erika Evans at safeaustin.org/donate, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd Building Fund, or Oasis, The Calcasieu Women’s Shelter in Lake Charles, La.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net