landy evans
1902-1986
Life Story
Early Life & Family Background
Landy Evans, known affectionately within his family as “Babe,” was born around 1902 in Newton County, Mississippi.
Family testimony provided by Gwendolyn Norton, based on information passed down by her grandmother Daisy Evans, identifies Landy as the son of Henry (“Heck”) Evans and Leone Evans. According to this family tradition, Henry had two children—Landy (“Babe”) Evans and Rhyne Evans, who later married Glover Nelson—before his marriage to Daisy Nichols.
By the time of the federal census, Landy was living in the household of Henry Evans and Daisy Evans, indicating that Daisy helped raise him after her marriage to Henry. While Landy appears in Daisy’s household, the available census records do not place his sister Rhyne there, and no documentary evidence has yet been located to determine where she spent her childhood.
Growing up in rural Newton County, Landy was raised within a blended family that remained rooted in the Lawrence community.
Marriages & Children
Landy Evans married multiple times, with each union documented through census and obituary sources.
- By 1930, he was married to Luvenie Evans (born c. 1910). From this marriage, one known son was born:
- John Evans (born c. 1930)
- By 1950, Landy was married to Julia Belt Evans (1908–2002). Julia’s maiden name was Belt. Living in their household in 1950 was:
- Tommy Chapman (born c. 1934), identified as Landy Evans’s step-son.
- At the time of his death, Landy Evans was married to Mary L. Watkins. From this marriage, one son was born:
- Robert Evans
Community & Church Life
Landy Evans was a faithful member of Saint John Missionary Baptist Church in Newton County. His lifelong association with the church reflects the central role St. John played in the spiritual and communal life of the Evans family across multiple generations.
Death & Burial
Landy Evans passed away in 1986, at approximately 84 years of age. Funeral services were held at Saint John Missionary Baptist Church, and he was laid to rest in the Saint John M.B. Church graveyard. Funeral arrangements were handled by W. F. Mapp Funeral Home.
Research Notes
Federal census records enumerate Landy Evans in the household of Henry Evans and Daisy Nichols Evans, while his obituary identifies him as the son of Mr. and Mrs. Leone Evans. Family testimony provided by Gwendolyn Norton, based on information shared by her grandmother Daisy Evans, explains that Henry (“Heck”) Evans had two children—Landy (“Babe”) Evans and Rhyne Evans—before marrying Daisy Nichols. This testimony reconciles the census and obituary by identifying Leone Evans as Landy’s biological mother and Daisy Nichols Evans as the stepmother who raised him. Because Rhyne does not appear in the available census records with Henry and Daisy, no conclusion can presently be drawn regarding where or by whom she was raised.
Resting Place
Saint John Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1910 Federal Census
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- 1950 Federal Census
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
- The Newton Record, Landy Evans Obituary, Wed, Oct 29, 1986 ·Page 10
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947
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