Our Unique Stories

mattie mae norman evans

1916-2002

Life Story

Mattie Mae Norman Evans was born on July 5, 1916, to Jonas Norman (1874-?) and Francis Johnson (1880-1917) in the Altare Community of Newton County, Mississippi, a small rural area known for its tight-knit community and lush landscapes. Her mother passed away when she was just eight months old, a tragic loss that deeply impacted her early life. Her obituary stated that she was raised by Manuel and Amanda Grass, who lived in the community, providing a semblance of family stability in her formative years. However, she is not shown living with them in any federal censuses from 1920 to 1940, raising questions about her true living circumstances during that time. It is unknown where she was living in 1920, as that census has yet to be found with her name on it, leaving a gap in the historical record of her youth. In 1930, when Mattie was just fourteen years old, she was residing with her aunt Maggie Johnson, who was her mother’s sister, and this relationship likely offered her some emotional support and connection to her mother’s memory. By 1940, when Mattie was about 24 years old, she was living with her cousin Spurgeon Coleman and his family, working as a farm laborer on a private farm to help support herself in a challenging economic environment. The highest grade she had completed by 1940 was 6th grade in elementary school, which reflects the limited educational opportunities available to young women in rural areas during that time, yet her resilience and determination to persevere in the face of adversity would shape her character for years to come.

Mattie married Lester Evans (1916-?) on April 28, 1940, in Newton County, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in her life. However, by 1950, the couple faced challenges that led to their separation, prompting Mattie to seek a new start in Hattiesburg, MS. There, she moved in with her cousin Mollie Johnson, who provided her with the support and companionship she needed during this difficult transition. As she settled into her new environment, Mattie found employment as a laundress for a local laundry company, where she diligently worked to support herself. This job not only allowed her to earn a living but also helped her to connect with the community around her, forming new friendships and building a life independent of her past.

Mattie was a member of Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church in Newton. She had three daughters and two sons; one preceded her in death. Her children were as follows:

Mattie passed away on January 25, 2002, at Riley Memorial Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi. Survivors include her three daughters and one son: Mrs. Catherine (Kenneth) Kidd and Ms. Dorothy Ann Evans, both of Newton; Mrs. Laura Ann Thigpen of Ellisville, MS; and Mr. Calvin (Delois) Evans of Decatur, MS; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Brenda Evans; two special cousins who were raised as her sisters, Mrs. Lula Nicholson and Mrs. Inez Coleman; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Betty Jean Evans; and one granddaughter, Miss Sylvia Evans, who preceded her in death. She also had two special friends, Mrs. Annie Pearl Hardaway and Ms. Annie Pearl Wash.

Funeral services took place at the Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, followed by burial in the church graveyard.

Resting Place

Morning Star M.B. Church Cemetery

Photos/Albums

Mattie Mae Norman Evans
Mattie Mae Norman Evans, 1916-2002

Sources

  • 1930 Federal Census
  • 1940 Federal Census
  • 1950 Federal Census
  • U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
  • Scott County Times, Melvin Evans, Sr. Obituary Wed, Mar 27, 1996 ·Page 2
  • U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
  • Scott County Times, Mattie Mae Evans Obituary, Wed, Feb 06, 2002 ·Page 2

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