Murder victim remembered as loving, caring friend

CHAMBERSBURG - Friends remember 67-year-old Barbara Evans as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a loyal and supportive friend.

Known as "Barb" to her family and "Momma Barb" to many of her friends, Evans was also a victim of domestic violence, shot and killed by her husband of 37 years, Charles, 65, Wednesday afternoon.

After taking his wife's life, Charles then turned his gun on himself and committed suicide.

The two were found dead Wednesday in their North Federal Street home by police, who were responding to a request to check on their welfare.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, family and friends are struggling with their loss and trying to figure out how to help Barb's daughter Traci Whitfield as she struggles with grief and tries to make funeral arrangements for her mother.

One friend, Shalon Marie Logan, started a GoFundMe page Thursday to help with Evans' funeral expenses. 

Logan said Barb Evans was always there for not just her family, but a community of friends and was "always doing a lot for others." 

She was known in the community for her constant smile and willingness to help others around her, Logan said.

"If you had any type of problem, she was there for you," she said."Everyone who knew her loved her."

Her friend BonNee Long called her "a wonderful, beautiful, loving and kindhearted person," saying they had been neighbors and friends for 15 years.

" She will be surely missed for a very long time," Long said in a social media tribute to Evans.

Evans had been in failing health in recent years, but she was always upbeat in spite of her condition, and always inquired after others rather than dwelling on her own problems, according to Logan and other friends.

She was also very vested in her grown grandchildren and the younger great -grandchildren, doting on them and spoiling them, Logan said.

Her family is still reeling from the shock of the murder-suicide that took her life, Logan said.

Logan started the Go Fund Me crowdfunding website in an effort to help Evans' family with funeral costs. She said Evans apparently had no insurance.

To help the family or donate to the fund, go to https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-costs-for-barbara-j-evans

Vicky Taylor, 717-881-5373