The Texoma Nurse Honor Guard honored two nurses, Tonya Smith, RN, and Kelsey Evans, RN, on Thursday with honorary membership for their dedication and outstanding service to the nursing profession, their patients, and the community.
Smith received the Compassion Award after achieving her lifelong goal of obtaining her RN license, following 16 years of dedicated service as an LVN.
“This accomplishment is not just a personal milestone of hers—it is a gift to our entire community. With her expanded knowledge and new skillset, I’m certain she will continue to touch lives, mentor others, and set a shining example of what it means to be a nurse,” said Krista Smith-Whitaker, FNP.
Evans was honored with the Strength and Perseverance Award for her remarkable dedication, never missing a day of work while undergoing chemotherapy, courageously battling breast cancer, and raising two children as a single mother.
“Kelsie is a single mom of two, who is brave and strong and continues to persevere through her cancer journey never missing a day of work. As she completes this journey, she’s not only showing her children, but all of us what strength and perseverance is,” said Nancy Stallings.
A Nurse Honor Guard stands stands in respect, honoring the life of service, skill, and compassion, when a nurse completes their final shift.
“We are volunteer nurses who provide a free tribute ceremony at visitations, memorials, or funerals to celebrate the dedication and heart your loved one brought to their profession. The Texoma Nurse Honor Guard is also going to celebrate milestones throughout a nurses career and honor their achievements and successes.”
The Texoma Nurse Honor Guard was established in August 2024 after Bonnie Roberts, the mother of Brandy Elaine Roberts, reached out to Sheila Evans to arrange a Nurse Honor Guard ceremony in her daughter’s honor.
In May 2025, when nurse Amanda Mia Barrios Gobin returned to Paris under hospice care, her fellow nurses sought to honor her in the same way.
Founder, Sheila Evans and Public Relations Director, Darlene Brumley Fugett reached out to local nurses to organize the tribute.
“All it took was a simple Facebook post explaining our vision and the response was immediate and heartfelt.”
With such short notice, they ordered capes, caps, candles, lanterns, and a small triangle instrument from Amazon and met at the funeral home with just 30 minutes to plan.
“Seven nurses—some meeting for the very first time—showed up at the funeral home and despite the short notice, we were united by pride and respect, and we knew in our hearts that this was something we needed to continue.”
Soon after, the Texoma Nurse Honor Guard was officially formed, with a non-profit status applied for, and a Facebook group has quickly grown to 274 members.
“We had some incredibly talented and passionate nurses help apply for non-profit status, write our by-laws and step into volunteered appointed officer roles.”
Founder and Executive Director: Sheila Evans
President: Penny Jones
Vice President: Vicky Phifer
Treasurer & Co-Executive Director: Krista Whitaker
Vice Treasurer: Nancy Stallings
Secretary: Charisa Saunders
Registrar: Sarah Walberg
Advisor: Lori Kerley
PR Director: Darlene Fugett
“Along with generous donations made in memory of our fallen colleagues, white roses donated by Chapman Florist, and a professional triangle instrument gifted by local musician Robert Nichols, we have the foundation we need to keep the Florence Nightingale lamp shining in memory of those who have served our beloved profession.”
Licensed or retired nurses are eligible to join the Texoma Nurse Honor Guard and stand at any given ceremony or tribute. There are some fees to join to cover costs of tributes and overhead.
“This journey has been a labor of love, and we are so grateful for every nurse who has joined us in honoring our own.”
For more details or to contact the Texoma Nursing Honor Guard, call (903) 869-2055 or click here.
Donations may be made to the Texoma Nursing Honor Guard via Venmo @TexomaNHG, via PayPal to Texomanhg@gmail.com or directly into our account at First Federal Community Bank.
