Evelyn Council, age 98, of Comanche, Oklahoma, passed away on March 15, 2026, in Duncan, Oklahoma.

Evelyn was born on April 4, 1927, in Holliday, Texas, to Franklin Harold and Mary Lee (Lonsford) Trantham. She grew up in Colbert, Oklahoma, where she graduated from Colbert High School. She later attended Draughon's Business College in Denison, Texas, studying real estate.

On April 24, 1943, she was united in marriage to John James Hanna in Denison, Texas. He preceded her in death.  Later, on May 16, 1972, she married Billy Ray Council in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Throughout her life, Evelyn was known for her strong work ethic, independence, and adventurous spirit. In her younger years, she took flight training and developed a love for flying. Her career path was diverse and reflected her determination and curiosity. She worked as a buyer and manager for Scott Apparel in Lawton, Oklahoma, and later as a telephone operator for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She earned her instructor's license in cosmetology from Lajean's Beauty College in Duncan, Oklahoma, and also pursued nursing courses at Cameron University. Evelyn worked at the hospital in Waurika, Oklahoma, and later provided home health care in Frederick, Oklahoma.

Even in her later years, Evelyn remained active and hardworking. At the age of 78, she began working at Sonic in Frederick, Oklahoma, where she faithfully worked for four years.

Evelyn had a deep love for the outdoors and the open sky. She enjoyed hunting and was known to shoot with the best of them. Her adventurous nature, strength, and zest for life left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She was a Pentecostal.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands: John James Hanna and Billy Ray Council; sisters, Addie Frances Udean Freer, Audrey Lee Bates, and Mildren Virginia Naughton; brothers, John Denzel Trantham and Thomas Dewayne Trantham; and a son-in-law, Johnny Curtis.

Evelyn is survived by her two daughters, Evelyn Christine "Chris" Hanna of Duncan, Oklahoma, and Rita Delynn Curtis of Comanche, Oklahoma; six grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren.