Eva was born June 12, 1926, in San Francisco, CA to June Lee and Wing Leong as the youngest of six children. She went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2020, at the age of 93.
In 1932, she attended Commodore Stockton Elementary School, followed by San Francisco Junior High, and then Galileo High School in San Francisco. She also attended St. Mary’s Chinese Catholic School concurrently for twelve years to learn both Cantonese and Mandarin.
Eva obtained her Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from the University of California at Berkeley where she met her future husband, Billy Pang, a World War II veteran, from Marks, Mississippi. While at Berkeley, Eva was elected Vice President of the Chinese Student Union. After graduation she worked for the California Department of Public Health in Berkeley, Kern County Hospital in Bakersfield, and then St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco.
In 1950, Billy and Eva married in San Francisco where they had their first two daughters, Lorralyn and Joanne. Billy the youngest of nine children, was missed and persuaded by his siblings to move back to Marks in 1953. It was there, they established and operated The B & E Food Market. Soon thereafter, third daughter, Adriane, was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Eva worked as a legal secretary for Mississippi State Representative, Ney M. Gore, Jr. in the 1960’s. She then returned to her chosen profession, medical technology, and worked at Panola County Hospital in Sardis, Mississippi until 1977.
Eva was a natural athlete and leader. She played guard for her junior high basketball team, and was a part of the team when they won the San Francisco City Championship. In Mississippi, Eva took up golf to play with her husband, Billy. In Marks, Eva was a founding member and guided the direction of the Wilson Lake Ladies Golf Association as their president for 2 years. In 1962 she was their first ladies’ club champion, which she repeated in 1963.
Eva’s many hobbies included golf, tennis, bowling, traveling, painting, ceramics and gardening. Always up for a challenge, Eva excelled with her unique style and artistic flair, winning numerous local and regional awards. As a Girl Scout leader, Eva designed skits and costumes for her troop that would help them win in regional competitions. None of her hobbies would rival the love she had for her children and their success. She was a devoted mother, many times volunteering to help as needed in the activities of all 3 daughters.
In 1977, Eva and Billy moved to Houston to join their daughter, Lorralyn. Eva worked in the laboratory at Hycell, a biomedical company. She then worked as a Medical Technologist in Chemistry at the Veterans Hospital in the Houston Medical Center until retirement in 1992.
As a young girl, Eva attended the Congregational Church in San Francisco Chinatown with her mother. Following her mother’s footsteps as a missionary, Eva had an active church life wherever she lived and encouraged her daughters to do the same. In 1959 she was baptized by Dr. Ira Eavenson at the First Baptist Church of Marks, Mississippi. She was active as a children’s Sunday school teacher and Sunbeam leader. She was a member of First Methodist-Houston, West Campus, where she made many lifelong friends.
Eva is predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Yick Poi Leong, and grandmother, Shee Liu, of Canton, China; brothers: Wie Hing Leong, Kenneth Leong, and Wieland Leong; sisters: Helene (George) Gould, all of San Francisco, California, Alice (Ray) Chinn of Torrance, California, and niece, Gina Gould, of Burlingame, California.
Eva is survived by her three daughters: Lorralyn Pang-Gee, Joanne Pang, and Adriane Pang, son-in-law: Dock Gee, and grandson: William Pang-Gee, all of Houston, TX, Sister-in-law: Isabel Leong of San Francisco. Niece and Nephews: Bruce and Russell Chinn(Anna) of Los Angeles, Europa MacMillan of Los Angeles, Zachary and Jennifer Yeager of Burlingame, and Connie and Linda Chinn of Los Angeles.
Eva’s family wishes to Thank each and every one of you for your love, kindness, and caring support. We appreciate your friendship, good wishes, and many heartfelt prayers.
Services will be held on Saturday, the 18th of January, at First Methodist Houston - West Campus, Hinson Chapel, 10570 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042, with visitation from 10 am to 11 am, followed by a memorial service to begin at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Eva Pang to:
Chinese Baptist Church- Rainbow Fellowship (a highlight in Eva’s later years) 900 Brogden Road
Houston, TX 77024 or to the National CACA CIF- Attn: Munson Kwok (to support the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project for veterans of Houston and Mississippi) P.O. Box 451261, Los Angeles, CA 90045-1261.