catherine donald evans
1927-2004
Life Story
Birth & Parentage
Catherine Donald Evans was born on March 12, 1927, in Newton County, Mississippi, to John Donald (1891–?) and Addie B. Ware Donald (1898–1941). She was raised within a large, civic-minded family whose members were deeply rooted in church, education, and community service.
Marriage & Family
Catherine married Rev. Theron Evans (1925–2006). From this union, three children were born. Their marriage evolved into a long partnership of ministry, with Catherine serving faithfully alongside her husband throughout his pastoral career.
Home & Occupation
In 1950, Catherine’s occupation was listed as keeping house, reflecting the domestic responsibilities she carried while raising children. Over time, her role expanded well beyond the household into sustained leadership in church, civic, and county organizations.
Church Life & First Lady Role
Catherine was a lifelong and deeply engaged member of Saint John Missionary Baptist Church. She was widely recognized as a faithful church worker and later served as First Lady during Rev. Theron Evans’s pastorates, including Rocky Mt. M.B. Church and Mt. Vernon M.B. Church of Hickory.
Newspaper coverage documents her active participation in:
- Pastors’ anniversary programs
- Women’s Day services, serving on devotional and finance committees
- Delivering devotions, assisting with worship services, and supporting visiting congregations
Her presence reflected the traditional but powerful leadership role of pastors’ wives in rural Mississippi churches.
St. John Homemakers & Extension Work
Catherine Evans was a long-standing leader in the St. John Extension Homemakers Club, hosting meetings in her home and serving in multiple offices over the years, including:
- Secretary (1981 St. John Extension Homemakers officers)
- Parliamentarian, County Extension Homemakers Council (1985)
- Presenter of educational programs on community development, home economics, and consumer education
She participated in countywide activities such as dress revues, educational workshops, and Extension recognition luncheons. Her service was formally acknowledged with a 25-Year Service Pin for Extension Homemaker work.
Youth & Community Leadership
Catherine’s influence extended to youth development and public service. Newspaper accounts document her as:
- An adult leader for the St. John 4-H Club, regularly giving devotions and guidance
- A March of Dimes volunteer worker representing the St. John community
- A participant in Educational and Industrial Association meetings
- A frequent contributor to community programs focused on education, health, and economic uplift
These activities place her within a generation of Black women who quietly sustained county institutions through volunteer leadership.
Death & Burial
Catherine Donald Evans passed away on August 16, 2004, at the age of 77, at Specialty Hospital of Meridian. Funeral services were held at Saint John Baptist Church, with burial in the Saint John cemetery.
Survivors
She was survived by:
- Her husband: Rev. Theron Evans
- One daughter: Mary C. Heard and husband Larry, Birmingham, Alabama
- Two sons:
- Dr. Theron Evans, Jr. and wife Glenda, Gulfport, Mississippi
- Attorney Ray Charles Evans, Newton, Mississippi
- Three grandchildren
Historical Significance
Catherine Donald Evans exemplifies the central role of Black churchwomen in Newton County’s 20th-century history. Through homemaking, church leadership, Extension service, youth mentorship, and civic volunteering, she helped sustain the spiritual and social infrastructure of the Saint John community for more than five decades.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2
- U.S., Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-current
- The Newton Record, Catherine Evans Obituary, Wed, Aug 18, 2004 ·Page 3
- U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
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