daisy nichols evans
1891-1985
Life Story
Early Life & Family Background
Daisy Nichols Evans was born on November 5, 1891, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Nellie Nichols (1865–?) and Walter Hardy. She spent her early years in rural Newton County during a period when farm labor and family cooperation were central to daily life. Daisy completed the sixth grade of elementary school, an achievement typical for many African American women of her generation in segregated rural Mississippi.
Marriage & Family
By 1910, Daisy married Henry Evans (c. 1880–?), and together they established a large farming household. Daisy worked alongside her husband as a farm laborer on the home farm, contributing both physically and administratively to the survival of a growing family.
From this union, eleven children were born, several of whom later migrated for work and opportunity, while others remained rooted in Newton County:
- Landy Evans (1902–1986)
- Joe Walter Nichols, Sr. (1907–1981)
- Fred Lee Evans (1910–1965)
- Sam Evans (1913–1996)
- Lamar Evans (1914–2004)
- Nellie Evans (1916–1992)
- Leon T. (L.T.) Evans (1923–1981)
- Willie Mae “Gladys” Evans (1925–1999)
- Henry Wilson Evans (1927–2001)
- Juanita “Sally” Evans (1930–2019)
- Henrietta Evans (1932–1984)
- Larry Melvin Evans (1932–?)
Although records vary slightly in how children were listed across decades, funeral and church records consistently reflect Daisy as the matriarch of this exceptionally large family network.
Later Years
By 1950, Daisy was listed as widowed, having assumed full responsibility for maintaining family continuity, faith traditions, and extended kinship ties. Despite advancing age, she remained closely connected to St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where she was an active and faithful member after earlier worship affiliations.
Church records and Homemaker Club reports document her involvement in community education programs, home management instruction, and Extension Homemaker activities, reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning, mutual aid, and spiritual discipline.
Faith & Community Life
Daisy was saved at an early age and was united with the Sand Ridge Baptist Church before later becoming a devoted member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully until her health declined. Her life reflected the values of faith, perseverance, hospitality, and service, qualities often noted in oral histories and community memory.
Death & Burial
Daisy Nichols Evans passed away on June 6, 1985, at Rush/Newton Hospital in Newton, Mississippi. Funeral services were held on June 12, 1985, at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Purvis Moore officiating. She was laid to rest at St. John M.B. Church Graveyard, among generations of family members whose lives she helped shape.
At the time of her death, Daisy was survived by multiple children, dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended relatives, leaving a legacy deeply embedded in the social, spiritual, and familial history of Newton County.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1940 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- The Sun, Rev. Joe Nichols, Sr. Obituary, Fri, May 29, 1981 ·Page 4
- U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- The Newton Record, Joe Walter Nicholas, Sr. Obituary, Wed, Jul 01, 1981 ·Page 11
- The Newton Record, Evans Family Holds Annual Reunion, Wed, Jul 15, 1981 ·Page 6
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