ARLINGTON -- Sister Frances Evans, who, along with Sister Maggie Hession, were the Rangers' two original fans and their biggest supporters through the years, passed away on Friday night. She was 90.
Sister Frances and Sister Maggie were beloved institutions at Rangers games from the beginning. They started attending games in 1972 at Arlington Stadium and were the first two to enter the Ballpark in Arlington when it opened in 1994.
Sister Maggie passed away in 2013, but Sister Frances was still coming to games at Globe Life Park when her health permitted over the past few years. Both were in attendance as the Rangers' guests in 1996 when they played the club's first-ever postseason game against the Yankees in 1996 at Yankee Stadium.
Sister Frances threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the 2012 American League Wild Card Game against the Orioles. She was close friends with many Rangers players, managers, coaches, executives and fans who got to know her through the years.
The Rangers issued a statement saying, "The Texas Rangers are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sister Frances Evans. It has been the great honor and privilege of the Texas Rangers organization to have a 47-year association with Sister Frances. We extend our deepest sympathies to all of her family and friends. She will be missed at Globe Life Park in Arlington."
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. CT on Friday, July 28, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Fort Worth.