charlie evans, jr.
1952-2012
Life Story
Growing Up in Newton County
Charlie J. Evans Jr. was born on April 29, 1952, and grew up in Newton County, Mississippi.
His childhood coincided with an important period of change in education for African American children in Newton County. Charlie attended N. H. Pilate High School, one of the schools that served the area’s Black students, and graduated with the senior class in May 1970.
His graduation marked the beginning of an adulthood that would remain closely connected to Newton County and, particularly, to the church community at Lawrence.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
One of the clearest threads running through Charlie’s adult life was his involvement with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Lawrence.
His participation extended beyond simply attending services.
Charlie served alongside Sis. Inez Cager as a director of the Jerusalem Youth Choir, working with the church’s younger generation through music and church activities. In June 1990, for example, the Youth Choir sponsored a fish fry as part of its activities, with Charlie and Inez Cager identified in connection with the choir’s leadership.
Other church programs also document Charlie’s participation. During annual choir observances, he took part in the program and on at least one occasion delivered the vote of thanks.
These seemingly small newspaper announcements are valuable because they reveal something that census and vital records cannot: Charlie was actively participating in the organizational life of his church and helping support programs involving its young people.
A Plan for Community Recreation
Charlie’s interests extended beyond activities inside the church.
In September 1985, an announcement associated with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church described a community development effort for which Charlie served as president.
The proposed project was ambitious. Organizers sought financial participation through the purchase of shares to develop recreational facilities for the community, with plans that included a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, and picnic area.
The announcement is significant because it shows Charlie participating in an organized attempt to expand recreational opportunities available to local residents.
Work and Life in Newton
Charlie continued to make his home in Newton County during adulthood. Public records associate him with residences on Beason Avenue and Ruth Street in Newton.
He also used his skills to prepare income-tax returns for local residents. This provides another glimpse of Charlie’s working life and his interaction with people in the community, although the surviving information does not yet establish whether tax preparation was his primary occupation or additional work he performed for others.
In April 1998, Charlie sought a special exception from the City of Newton concerning property he owned in Section 33, Township 6 North, Range 11 East. His application requested permission to place a mobile home on the property.
The proceeding provides documentary evidence not only of Charlie’s continued residence in the Newton area but also of his ownership or control of the property involved in the application.
A Life Connected to Church and Community
Taken together, the surviving records provide a picture of Charlie that goes considerably beyond addresses and dates.
He was a graduate of N. H. Pilate High School.
He helped direct young people through the Jerusalem Youth Choir.
He participated in church programs.
He served as president of an organization attempting to develop recreational opportunities for the community.
He prepared tax returns for local residents.
And throughout much of his documented adult life, he remained connected to Newton and Lawrence.
None of those activities alone defines his life, but collectively they show sustained participation in the institutions and relationships of the community in which he had been raised.
Death and Return to Lawrence
Charlie J. Evans Jr. died on April 30, 2012, just one day after his sixtieth birthday.
Charlie was laid to rest at Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery in Lawrence, Newton County, Mississippi.
Charlie Evans’s surviving records preserves a life firmly connected to education, church participation, youth involvement, and community improvement in Newton County.
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), May 6, 1970, p. 10. N. H. Pilate High School senior-class coverage identifying Charlie J. Evans Jr. as a member of the graduating class of May 1970.
- 2. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), October 1, 1975, p. 15. Notice concerning Charlie J. Evans Jr. and his activities in Newton County.
- 3. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), August 30, 1978, p. 8. Church/community notice concerning Charlie J. Evans Jr. and activities associated with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church.
- 4. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), September 18, 1985, p. 16. Announcement of a community development initiative associated with Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, identifying Charlie Evans as president; organizers sought community participation and financial support for proposed recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court, volleyball court, and picnic area.
- 5. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), June 6, 1990, p. 2. Announcement concerning the Jerusalem Youth Choir Fish Fry, identifying Charlie Evans and Sis. Inez Cager in connection with leadership of the youth choir.
- 6. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), September 30, 1992, p. 9. Notice concerning Charlie Evans and his activities in Newton County.
- 7. The Newton Record (Newton, Mississippi), April 29, 1998, p. 16. Public notice concerning Charlie J. Evans Jr.’s application for a special exception involving property in Section 33, Township 6 North, Range 11 East, and his request concerning placement of a mobile home on the property.
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