lee evans
1917-1917
Life Story
Laid to Rest in Newton County, Mississippi
Birth and Family
Lee Evans was born on July 9, 1917, in Newton County, Mississippi, to Silvaney Evans (1897–1917) and John Evans. He was born into one of the long-standing branches of the Evans family, whose history in the county extends back generations through both free and formerly enslaved ancestors.
Lee’s mother, Silvaney, passed away the same year, marking 1917 as a period of profound sorrow for the family.
A Brief Life
Lee Evans lived only two days, passing away on July 11, 1917.
No physician attended his birth or death, and thus no official cause of death was recorded—an all-too-common circumstance for African American families in rural Mississippi during the early 20th century, when medical access was severely limited.
Burial
Although the death record does not identify a specific cemetery, it is likely that Lee was buried alongside other Evans infants and relatives in one of the family-associated burial grounds, most probably the Evans Cemetery or another nearby community burial site such as Altare Graveyard.
Legacy
Lee Evans’ brief life represents the fragility of infant survival during this era, and the challenges faced by rural Black families who navigated birth, illness, and loss with limited resources.
By preserving his memory, his story remains part of the broader Evans family history and the lineage of those who came before and after him.
Resting Place
Photos/Albums
Sources
- Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
- U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current
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