william evans, jr.
1893-1973
Life Story
A Life Built on Labor, Faith, and Legacy
The life of William Evans, Jr. stands as a powerful testament to the resilience, faith, and endurance of a Mississippi generation that bridged the years from the post-Reconstruction South into the modern Civil Rights era. Born on February 1, 1893, in Newton County, Mississippi, William’s story is one of tireless labor, deep-rooted family ties, and a legacy that quite literally helped build the infrastructure of the region.
Early Life and Roots
William was born to Tom and Charlotte Jones, the second of what would become a large household of fourteen children. Raised in Beat 4 of Newton County, his childhood unfolded within the demanding rhythms of rural life, where survival depended on the land and the labor of every able hand.
By the age of six, William was already part of a bustling working household, and by sixteen, he had taken on the role of farm laborer on his father’s land. Though formal education was limited, he pursued learning where he could. Early census records indicate that he could not read or write in his youth, yet over time he attained approximately a sixth-grade education—no small achievement for a young Black man in the early twentieth-century South.
The Laborer and the Road
William’s early adulthood was shaped by the expanding networks of labor that defined the Southern economy. In 1920, at the age of 26, he was living with his brother and working as a laborer on a “log road,” part of the timber industry that fed the region’s growth.
This work likely served as a gateway to his long-standing connection with the railroad. By the early 1930s, his name appeared in local records such as the Newton Record, where he was listed among men compensated for public road work—earning $3.00 for his labor. Though modest, this pay reflected the grueling physical work required to maintain roads during the height of the Great Depression.
Over time, William transitioned into railroad labor, eventually working as a section hand, a role that demanded long hours—often exceeding fifty per week—maintaining and repairing track lines that were essential to the South’s economic lifeline.
A Growing Dynasty
William’s personal life was marked by both loss and remarkable expansion. His first marriage to Ila Whitehead brought two daughters, Ola and Mamie. Following a divorce with Ila, he married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Moncrief, beginning a partnership that would define the rest of his life.
William was 30 years old and Lizzie just 14 when they married—reflective of the norms of their time. Together, they built one of the most extensive family networks in the community.
By 1940, the family was renting a farm in Newton County. By 1950, William balanced farming with his demanding railroad work, sustaining a household that continued to grow year after year. Their children included Nettie, Ossie, Hassie, John Elbert, Mary Ella, Charlie, Curley, Joseph, Bernard, Deuteronomy, John, Lamar, Cleo, Malachi and Betty Mae.
In total, William fathered 26 children, 15 of whom survived into adulthood—a remarkable legacy shaped by both hardship and perseverance.
Faith, Home, and Community
The Evans home in Lawrence, Mississippi—reportedly an old railroad section house—stood as both a place of discipline and devotion. Life in the household was structured around work, with every child expected to contribute in the fields, gardens, and daily upkeep of the home.
Yet beyond labor, the home was anchored in faith and family unity. Sunday evenings brought a different rhythm, as the family gathered around the fireplace to pray and sing. These moments of worship and music reinforced a spiritual foundation that carried the family through generations.
Legacy and Final Rest
William Evans, Jr. passed away on January 18, 1973. He was laid to rest at Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery, near the very land he farmed and the railroad lines he helped maintain.
His legacy extended far beyond his lifetime. With more than 80 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, his family became a living testament to his life’s work.
Perhaps the most fitting reflection came from his wife, Lizzie, who lived to the age of 100. She credited their long and enduring union—a “century of happiness”—to the foundation they built together: one rooted in hard work, music, discipline, and an unshakable faith in God.
William Evans, Jr. did more than endure a difficult chapter in Southern history. He helped build something lasting—a family, a community, and a legacy that continues to stand.
Resting Place
Union Chapel United Methodist Church
Photos/Albums
1893-1973
Sources
- Birth and Parentage: 1900 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, Beat 4, household of Tom and Stepmother, Lillie Evans; William Evans, age 6, born May 1894. Note: WWI Draft Registration and Headstone cite birth as Feb. 1, 1893.
- Education: 1940 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, household of William Evans; lists “Highest Grade Completed” as Elementary school, 6th grade.
- Early Employment: 1920 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, Beat 4, household of Tom Evans; William Evans listed as “Laborer” in “Log Road” industry.
- Public Works: The Newton Record, “Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors of Newton County,” March 17, 1932, p. 3; William Evans listed among men allowed $3.00 for road work claims.
- First Marriage: Death Record/Social Security Applications; Mamie Lee Williams identifies parents as William Evans and Iley (Illa) Whitehead.
- Second Marriage: The Newton County Appeal, “100 Years: Lizzie Evans credits faith for a century of health and happiness,” April 22, 2009, p. 1A; confirms marriage to Elizabeth Moncrief “around the age of 14.”
- Railroad Career: 1950 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi; William Evans listed as “Section Hand” for “Section” (Railroad). See also The Newton County Appeal, April 22, 2009, p. 7A, describing the family home as an “old railroad section house.”
- Military Registration: U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; William Evans, Scott County, MS, born Feb 1, 1893, Lawrence, MS.
- Death and Burial: Find A Grave Index; William Evans, Jr. (1893–1973), Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery, Lawrence, Newton County, MS.
- Family Expansion: 1940 and 1950 U.S. Census records for Newton County, MS; enumerating children including Ola, Mamie, Nettie, Ossie, Hassie, Ella, Charley, Joseph, Bernard, Deuteronomy, John S., Lamar, Cleo, and Betty Mae.
- Social Security Administration, “Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” entry for Mamie Lee Williams/Mamie Brooks (SSN 427-42-XXXX), accessed via Ancestry.com..
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