lula mae evans giles

1916-1983

Life Story

A Life of Quiet Strength, Resilience, and Family Devotion

Early Life and Family Roots

Lula Mae Evans Giles was born on January 24, 1916, in rural Mississippi, a region defined by its deep agricultural traditions and tightly woven communities. She was the daughter of Clayborne Evans (1886–?) and Irene Watkins Evans (1893–?), who worked the land and instilled in their children a profound sense of resilience, faith, and responsibility. Growing up in a time marked by economic hardship and limited opportunities for African American families, Lula learned early the values of perseverance and unity.

By 1930, the Evans family resided in Scott County, Mississippi, along Morton and Polkville Road. At just fourteen years old, Lula was already working as a farm laborer, helping her parents maintain the demanding rhythms of agricultural life.

Education and Young Adulthood

Despite facing considerable challenges, Lula completed the 7th grade of elementary school, surpassing the educational attainment available to many rural Black children of her generation. Her schooling—though brief—provided a foundation of literacy and determination that guided her transition into adulthood.

Seeking greater opportunities, Lula later moved to Meridian, Mississippi, where the pace of life quickened and new forms of work became available. There, she found employment as a maid, a position that granted her stability, independence, and a chance to create a brighter future.

During this period, she lived with her older sister, Lorene Evans Donald, and brother-in-law, Rush Donald, who provided encouragement as she adjusted to city life. In 1940, Lula was the mother of a 10-month-old son:

Edward Lee Evans (1940–?)

Family records suggest that Edward Lee may have been the child of Connie Donald (1914–?), who was also residing in the home at the time—reflecting the complex, intertwined kinship networks that defined African American households in mid-century Mississippi.

Marriage and Motherhood

By 1942, Lula had married Willie Giles (1897–?), forming a household grounded in mutual respect and shared determination. Together, they welcomed four children:

Mary Jean Giles (1942–?)
Murline Giles (1944–2003)
Willie Dean Giles (1947–?)
Millie Faye Giles (1949–?)

Lula devoted her life to raising her children with love, structure, and spiritual grounding. Whether working inside her home or in the homes of others, she approached every task with diligence and dignity. Her life reflected the experiences of countless Black women of the era, who balanced wage labor with the uncompromising responsibilities of motherhood.

Later Years and Passing

After decades of hard work, Lula’s health gradually declined. On February 24, 1983, she passed away at the age of 67. Her funeral was held at a place deeply connected to her family’s history—Altare Missionary Baptist Church—where she was laid to rest among generations of relatives and community members.

Surrounded by pine trees and the quiet landscape of Newton County, her resting place reflects the enduring legacy she left behind: strength in adversity, devotion to family, and the quiet grace of a life lived in service to others.

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