Herman Evans

herman evans

1943-1999

Life Story

Life and Legacy of Herman Evans (1943–1999)

A Son of Lawrence, Mississippi

Herman Evans was born on July 17, 1943, in the rural community of Lawrence, Mississippi, the first-born son of Huey Evans and Virginia Dare Whitehead Evans. His birth took place at home during the height of World War II and under the shadow of Jim Crow segregation, when Black families relied heavily on one another, their churches, and their land for both survival and progress.

Herman’s ancestry reflects the interwoven lineages that shaped the Lawrence–Newton–Altare community. He was the grandson of Eligah Evans and Fannie Chapman, and Ambrose Whitehead and Marietta Walker. His great-grandparents included Elias Evans and Rachael Jane Cotton, John Chapman and Lucinda Walker, Dowell Whitehead and Seanie Nelson, and Henry Walker and Iley Jane Evans. Through them, Herman descended from some of the most foundational families in the region.

A Childhood Shaped by the Land

Herman spent his early years on the Evans family farm, a self-sustaining homestead where cattle, hogs, chickens, and mules were raised. The land was surrounded by pine groves, fruit trees, and dirt roads that turned to deep ruts when it rained. Like most Black families of the era, the Evans home had no modern amenities—water came from the well, outhouses were used for sanitation, and fireplaces provided heat. Summer evenings were spent on the porch or beneath the shade of sturdy trees while butterflies and bees pollinated the fields that fed the community.

Black-owned businesses were vital to daily life. One such anchor was Anderson Mann’s store, near Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, which provided goods not grown or produced on the farm. Segregation forced Black families to recycle their economic resources within their own communities, giving rise to merchants, craftsmen, and farmers who helped sustain Lawrence.

Spiritual life centered around Union Chapel Methodist Church and Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, institutions that reinforced belonging, resilience, and a shared commitment to uplift one another.

While Herman’s father trained for military service at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg, his mother gave birth to him at the age of twenty. Like many Black women barred from segregated hospitals, she delivered at home with the help of family and midwives.

School Years & The 1955 Bus Incident

Herman attended Lawrence Colored School, which later merged with Newton Pilate Colored School. Resources were unequal compared to white schools, but Black teachers were deeply committed, and students were eager to learn despite limited supplies, outdated textbooks, and aging facilities.

In 1955, Herman became part of a frightening chapter in Newton County history. On February 7, 1955, about thirty children were overcome by carbon monoxide fumes while riding the school bus to Lawrence Colored School. Herman—only 12 years old—lost consciousness along with student Fannie Grace Johnson. At first, teachers thought the children were asleep or playing, but as students staggered off the bus and collapsed, the seriousness became clear.

George Evans, the bus driver, rushed to get help from English teacher Larcenia McNair, who coordinated emergency transport. Children were taken to the hospital in any available vehicle. Herman remained unconscious for some time before waking.

A county investigation attributed the accident to a broken tailpipe shaken loose by muddy, rutted roads. However, many questioned this explanation. No other vehicles suffered such failures, and the incident occurred during rising racial tensions across the South. The superintendent overseeing the inquiry was employed by the county, making it unlikely that negligence—or intentional wrongdoing—would be acknowledged.

Just months after the bus incident, fourteen-year-old Emmett Till was lynched in Mississippi, an event that confirmed the dangers and hostility Black children faced daily.

Despite the trauma, Herman continued his education at Newton Pilate Colored School until leaving around the 11th grade to support his young family. He married in May 1964 and began building a life rooted in responsibility and determination.

Work, Family, and Building a Home

One of Herman’s early jobs was as a janitor and groundskeeper at Clarke College in 1968. He later worked in the Finishing Department at the La-Z-Boy chair company until early retirement due to ill health.

Money management was one of Herman’s greatest strengths. He believed in saving rather than spending and avoided debt at all costs. When it came time to build a home, Herman refused the idea of a mortgage. Instead:

He tore down an old house for lumber.
His father granted him two acres of land.
Huey Evans, a self-employed farmer and cement contractor, built the foundation.
Herman paid for materials with cash, refusing credit cards or loans.

He preferred wearing the same sturdy pants and shirts for years, but he lavished care on the things he loved—cars, guns, cowboy boots, and hats. He cleaned and polished his vehicles weekly and rarely drove over 40 mph to avoid wasting fuel or misaligning the wheels on the rough dirt roads.

He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, activities that not only brought him joy but also helped reduce the family’s grocery costs. Above all, he loved time with family and friends.

Music & Community

Herman was a gifted vocalist. He sang with:

The Harmoniers of Newton County, a well-known local gospel group
The Male Choir of Jerusalem Baptist Church

He also cherished the soul music of the 1960s—Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, and James Brown—and he and his wife collected many of their records.

Illness, Faith, and Final Reflections

In his early 50s, Herman was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Surgery revealed a second type of cancer, leading to chemotherapy. Despite treatment, his health gradually declined. He faced his illness with courage and acceptance and tried to prepare his family for what was to come.

Before his passing, Herman told his daughter there were only two times he felt no pain:

When his son cut his hair
When friend Annie Pearl Hardy placed a Bible on his body and read Psalm 23

At the time, his daughter did not realize how meaningful this would become.

Following Herman’s death on November 27, 1999, at Anderson Regional Hospital in Meridian, the family prepared for his funeral. When his son returned from the funeral home, he said, “I decided to cut daddy’s hair.” The words echoed Herman’s earlier reflection and brought his daughter deep comfort, helping her accept his passing.

The community’s support was overwhelming—food, cards, flowers, plants, and kindness from neighbors and friends. One of the funeral plants, given to his daughter, began to wither. She refused to throw it away and continued watering it. After months of care, a single green leaf appeared, and soon the plant grew full and strong.

To her, it was a sign of rebirth—a reminder that life continues through one’s descendants. Herman’s legacy endures in his children, grandchildren, and the community he loved.

Herman was laid to rest at Whitestone–Morrow Cemetery in Lawrence, Mississippi.

Resting Place

Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery

Photos/Albums