Pastor Ellen J. Evans Obituary (1921 - 2017)

Ellen Jefferson Evans was born in Camden, South Carolina in Lugoff County to Moses and Hattie Jefferson on May 5, 1921. She is the product of Weeping Mary Public School in Camden, South Carolina and Armstrong High School in Richmond, Virginia. She relocated to Richmond, VA at the age of 15 years old. She met her husband, the late Adam Evans, Sr., in 1938. They later married in 1939. From this union, one son and four daughters were born. (Her youngest daughter, Mary, is now predeceased.) She held several employment positions including 20 years at the American Tobacco Company, 13 years at the former Defense General Supply Center or Bellwood and a little over 20 years at the former McGuire Hospital (Veterans Administration Medical Center) of which she retired from in 1990, after serving as a nurse's aide. She joined St. James United Holy Church in 1942 and was a faithful and dedicated member. In 1981, she was chosen by Rev. Amanda Wilson to serve as Assistant Pastor. While she was Assistant Pastor, she was instrumental in putting a new sign in front of the church. She remained the Assistant Pastor until the retirement of Rev. Amanda Wilson in 1990. She then served as Interim Pastor from November 4, 1990 until June 28, 1992, when she was elected as pastor of St. James United Holy Church. She also faithfully served on the Board of Elders, having been elected during the 1996 session of the Virginia District Convocation of the United Holy Church. During the pastorate of Elder Evans, of which she served until December 2012, God blessed the church with new windows, new lights in the sanctuary, new front doors, a van, carpet in the sanctuary, new pews and land on both sides of the church. Several souls have been saved and added to St. James UHC under her leadership. After years of declining health, Elder Evans went home to be with the Lord on February 20, 2017. She leaves to mourn three daughters: Elnora Williams, Barbara Gates and Fannie Grant (all of Richmond, VA); one son, Adam Evans, Jr. (Rebecca), of Stone Mountain, GA; 18 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 3 sisters: Dorothy Boone (of New Haven, CT), Queen (of Boston, MA) and Inell Jefferson (of Richmond, VA) and a host of other relatives, friends & god-children. Her favorite saying was, "To God Be The Glory!" Home going celebration will take place Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 1:30PM at New Deliverance Evangelistic Church 1701 Turner Rd.