nora hughes evans

1878-1919

Life Story

A Life of Devotion, Labor, and Quiet Strength

Early Life

Nora Hughes Evans was born around 1878 in rural Newton County, Mississippi, to Henry Hughes (1858–?) and Martha Evans (1858–?). Raised in a farming household, she grew up during a period when African American families relied heavily on agricultural labor, close-knit community support, and perseverance to withstand harsh economic and social realities. From a young age, Nora absorbed the values of resilience and familial responsibility that shaped her life.

Marriage and Family

In 1895, Nora married Andrew Evans (1878–?), beginning a partnership rooted in shared work and mutual commitment. Together, they welcomed six children into their home. One child passed away before 1910, a sorrow felt deeply in the family. Their known children include:

Henry Evans (1902–?)
Mack Evans (1904–1949)
Velva Evans (1907–?)
Cathy Evans (1909–?)
Martha Evans (1910–?)

Each child represented a new milestone for Nora, and she approached motherhood with the same steadfast dedication that guided every area of her life.

Life as a Farm Wife

Nora’s daily life was defined by hard work. She labored as both a housewife and a farm worker, helping maintain the household, cultivating crops, tending animals, and supporting her family’s livelihood. Her days were long and demanding—beginning at dawn and ending only when every task was complete.

Neighbors and family remembered her for her unshakeable endurance and quiet determination. In an era when survival required strength and discipline, Nora embodied both with grace.

Illness and Passing

On March 27, 1919, at approximately 40 years old, Nora passed away from renal dropsy, with tuberculosis identified as a secondary cause. Diseases such as tuberculosis were widespread in the early 20th century, particularly in rural communities that lacked consistent access to medical care. Her untimely death created a significant void in the lives of her husband and children. Denson Chapman was noted as the informant on her death certificate.

Final Resting Place

Nora was laid to rest in the Altare M.B. Church graveyard, a sacred resting place for many families in the community. There, surrounded by familiar land and family ties, her memory continues to live on through the descendants who bear her legacy of strength, perseverance, and love.

SIDEBAR

Family Snapshot & Historical Context

Parents

Henry Hughes (1858–?)
Martha Evans (1858–?)

Spouse

Andrew Evans (1878–?)
Married in 1895

Children

Henry Evans (1902–?)
Mack Evans (1904–1949)
Velva Evans (1907–?)
Cathy Evans (1909–?)
Martha Evans (1910–?)
One child deceased before 1910

Cause of Death

Renal dropsy
Tuberculosis (secondary)

Age at Death

Approximately 40 years old

Burial

Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard
Newton County, Mississippi

Historical Note

Nora lived during a time when:

Tuberculosis was one of the most common causes of death.
Most rural families relied on subsistence farming.
Black women often carried dual roles—domestic caretaker and agricultural laborer.
Community churches such as Altare M.B. served as spiritual, social, and cultural anchors.

Her life mirrors the experience of countless Black women in the rural South who kept their families thriving through sacrifice, hard work, and unwavering faith.

Resting Place

Altare Missionary Baptist Church Graveyard

Photos/Albums

Sources

1880 Federal Census
1900 Federal Census
1910 Federal Census
Mississippi, U.S., Index to Deaths, 1912-1943
U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current

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