henry wilson evans
1927-2001
Life Story
Birth & Family Background
Henry Wilson Evans was born on November 8, 1927, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Henry Evans (1880–?) and Daisy Nichols Evans (1891–1985). He grew up within the St. John community, surrounded by a large extended family whose lives were deeply rooted in faith, labor, and kinship ties.
Marriage & Family
On November 18, 1953, Henry married Dora Lee Robinson Evans (1933–2024). Together they built a family that spanned multiple generations.
Their children include:
Daughters
- Gwendolyn Evans Pearson
- Marilyn Evans
- Loretta Evans Goffney
Sons
- Henry Evans (“Bo”)
- Robert Evans
- Johnny Evans
Henry was also the proud grandfather of sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, reflecting a legacy of family continuity and growth.
Education
Details of Henry’s formal education are not fully documented. Like many men of his generation in Newton County, his early years emphasized work, responsibility, and practical skill rather than extended schooling.
Occupation & Work Life
Henry Wilson Evans spent the majority of his working life employed by Champion Paper Company, where he worked for 38 years in Houston, Texas. His long tenure reflects both stability and dedication during a period when many African American families migrated temporarily for industrial employment.
After retiring, Henry returned to Newton County approximately seven years before his death, choosing to spend his later years in the community where he was born.
Faith & Community Involvement
Following his return to Newton County, Henry became a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. He was especially active in the church’s music program and served as a member of the St. John Male Chorus, a role that placed him prominently within the church’s worship life.
His commitment to church music and fellowship reflected both personal faith and the strong musical tradition of St. John.
Death & Burial
Henry Wilson Evans passed away on August 15, 2001, at the age of 73. Funeral services were held on August 25, 2001, at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, with Rev. Centry Lenoir officiating. He was laid to rest in the St. John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard in Newton County, Mississippi.
Legacy
Henry Wilson Evans’ life reflects the experience of many men of his generation—rooted in rural Mississippi, shaped by industrial labor away from home, and ultimately anchored in faith, family, and community. His return to Newton County and service within St. John Missionary Baptist Church ensured that his later years were spent contributing to the spiritual life of the place that first nurtured him.
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., 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
- The Newton Record, Henry W. Evans Obituary, Wed, Aug 29, 2001 ·Page 2
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