charlie b. evans
1920-2000
Life Story
A Life of Work, Faith, and Family
Early Life and Family Roots
Charlie B. Evans was born in Newton County, Mississippi, most likely on March 12, 1920, though some records suggest slightly different dates, including March 20, 1919. Variations in birth dates were common in early twentieth-century records.
He was the son of Elijah Evans, a farmer, and Fannie M. Chapman Evans. Charlie grew up in a large farming family in the town of Newton, where his father worked the land and the children shared in the responsibilities of rural life.
The 1930 census records Charlie, listed as “Charley Evans,” living on Main Street in Newton with his parents and several siblings:
- Fred Henry Evans
- Elijah Evans, Jr.
- Juary Evans
- Huey Evans
- Reharb Evans
- Robert J. Evans
Even as a young boy, Charlie was attending school and was recorded as being able to read and write, reflecting the value his family placed on education despite the limitations placed on African American communities during the Jim Crow era.
Young Adulthood and Early Career
By 1940, Charlie had entered adulthood and was working as a wage farmer in Newton County. Census records indicate that he worked approximately 60 hours per week, earning about $200 per year, a modest income typical for agricultural laborers in rural Mississippi during that time.
On October 16, 1940, Charlie registered for the World War II draft in Union, Mississippi. His draft card provides a physical description of the young worker:
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches
- Weight: 140 pounds
- Complexion: Dark
- Hair: Black
- Eyes: Black
During the 1940s, Charlie married Loraine Wilkerson, whose name appears in records with slight variations, including Laverne and Larene, reflecting the inconsistencies often found in historical documents.
Marriage and Family Life
By 1950, Charlie had established his own household on South 7th Street in Newton, Mississippi. The census records him as the head of household, working as a farm helper and laboring approximately 54 hours per week.
Living in the home with him were his wife and their three young children:
- Charles Evans (born about 1943)
- Laverne Evans (born about 1944)
- Morris Evans (born about 1947)
These years represented the working-class reality for many families in Newton County, where agricultural labor remained the primary source of income.
Later Years and Move to Clinton
Later in life, Charlie relocated to Clinton, Mississippi, a community near Jackson in Hinds County. After decades of labor, he eventually retired, spending his later years surrounded by his growing family.
Throughout his life, Charlie remained connected to his faith community. His funeral services would later be held at Sweetwater Missionary Baptist Church in Flowood, reflecting the importance of church life in his family and community.
Death and Burial
Charlie B. Evans passed away on January 12, 2000, at the age of 83, after battling cancer. He died at a care center near Jackson, Mississippi.
Funeral services were held on January 16, 2000, at Sweetwater Missionary Baptist Church in Flowood, Mississippi. He was laid to rest at Garden Memorial Park Cemetery in Jackson, Mississippi.
Family and Legacy
At the time of his passing, Charlie was survived by a large and extended family.
Children
- Laverne Lynn Evans
- Ida Mae Neal
- Felecia Evans
Siblings
- Elijah Evans, Newton, Mississippi
- Ruby Evans Garner, Markham, Illinois
Descendants
Charlie also left behind 18 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Evans family.
Legacy
Charlie B. Evans lived through many of the defining moments of the twentieth century—from the agricultural economy of rural Mississippi to the social transformations that reshaped the state in the decades that followed.
Through steady labor, devotion to family, and commitment to his community, he built a life that reflected the resilience of the many African American families who helped shape the history of Newton County and Central Mississippi.
Resting Place
Garden Memorial Park Cemetery, Jackson, Mississippi
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1930 – 1950 Federal Censuses
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- Clarion-Ledger, Charlie B. Evans Obituary, Sat, Jan 15, 2000 ·Page 16
Leave a Reply