By WENDI ZONGKER
wendi.zongker@mynassausun.com
FERNANDINA BEACH — Terri Evans thought she had beaten breast cancer.
March marked one year of remission from Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma.
Her right breast was removed in June 2007, and doctors were scheduled to take the remaining one April 7.
But cancer got to it first.
On March 14, Evans, 47, was diagnosed with cancer for the second time in as many years.
"It has ravaged her body," said Sgt. Donna Montgomery, who has worked with Evans, a Nassau County Sheriff's Office detention deputy, since 2000.
The cancer has spread to both lungs, her pelvic bone and her right leg, close friend and colleague Kimberly Swafford said. On Thursday, doctors notified Evans' family the cancer spread to her brain.
The next day, Evans was admitted to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida in Jacksonville, where she was struggling to hang on Saturday as hundreds gathered at Peters Point here for a 90-mile motorcycle ride in her honor.
"It could be any day or any hour," before the cancer takes her life, Nassau County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves said Saturday.
He was right.
Evans died Sunday morning.
People describe Evans as being upbeat with a steadfast faith in God.
Evans said it herself on her Web site:
"I refuse to be upset or disheartened," she wrote. "I have a gracious God who has seen me through this bad time and many, many friends and family praying for me and helping to take care of me."
Assistant Chief Hank Martinez said Evans is vibrant, feisty and funny. He said participating in Terri's Ride meant a lot to him.
"She has given so much to the community as a public servant, and now this community is giving back to her," he said.
LOG ON!
Visit MyNassauSun.com to view photos from Terri's Ride.
Terri Evans Fund
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Evan's family may do so by sending your donation to the Terri Evans Fund in care of Sheriff T.L. "Tommy" Seagraves Jr., Nassau County Sheriff's Office, 76001 Bobby Moore Circle, Yulee, FL 32097.
