Jeff Davis County, Texas
Obituaries
Jeff Davis County, Texas
Pansy Evans Espy, 94, passed away March 4, 2010, at Big Bend Regional Medical Center in Alpine, Texas. Pansy was a longtime resident of Fort Davis, Texas. She and husband Jim P. (Big Jim) Espy, Sr. were married in 1936 and ranched this area for over 70 years. Together, they were members of the American Quarter Horse Assoc. for over 50 years and were awarded the American Quarter Horse Assoc. Award for 50 Cumulative Years of Breeding American Quarter Horses. Big Jim preceded her in death in 2001. Pansy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Fort Davis since 1936 and was active in Presbyterian Ladies Missionary Group until her death. She was instrumental in getting the donation of the building from Joe and Lola Espy for the Overland Trail Museum. As a longtime member of the Fort Davis Historical Society, she helped raise money for the buildings renovation. Pansy was instrumental in organizing the first exhibits for the museum, which includes "chaps" of Captain James B. Gillette, her grandfather, who was a Texas Ranger from 1875 to 1881. She was also instrumental in the organization of the Bloys Museum at Bloys Campmeeting, which many exhibits from the Overland Trail Museum were shared during the week of camp meeting in August. Pansy set up the first Bloys exhibits and always checked in on the museum every camp meeting. She attended Bloys Campmeeting for 93 of her 94 years, and that was where she met Big Jim. Pansy began her "bird watching" days with her Aunt Lou C. Evans in the 1960s. In 1973, she and Jody Miller of Valentine published the first Davis Mountain Birds checklist. Beginning in the 1980s, Pansy and Jody did the "breeding birds count" in June, for the Game, Fish and Wildlife Service, and in December they did the "Christmas count" for the Audubon Society. Pansy was a member of the Midland Naturalist Assoc. for over 40 years. She was given credits in many books published on Davis Mountain birds. In 1994, she was recognized by the Texas Ornithological Society. She also served on the Trinity University Board of Regents for a number of years. She is survived by children, Pat and Kenny Smith of Hobbs, N.M., Jean and Tommy Everett of Fort Stockton, Ann and Jim Duncan of Whitney and Jim and Sally Espy of Fort Davis; grandchildren, Ken Smith, Jana Reid, Wayne Smith, Deb McIvor, Rick McIvor, Scott McIvor, Melissa Troup, Leslee Tobin, Mandy Overturff and Joe Espy; great-grandchildren, Tibba Smith, Keli Hatley, Stefanie Logan, Corey Smith, Cole Smith, Sidne Smith, Jinsen Smith, Locke Ann McIvor, Mae McIvor, Hadley McIvor, Maverick McIvor, Bucky Toup, Barrett Troup, Duncan Troup, Gabriel Troup, Jeb Tobin, Evelyn Tobin, James Robert Tobin, Kellyn Overturff, Brandon Burns Espy and Makay Espy; and great-great-grandchildren, Shane Smith, Cason Hatley and Kyon Hatley. sumbmitted by Jrice
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