Earlie Evans

A Life Well Lived (Obituary) Earlie “Mama” “Grandma” Evans was born September 28, 1920, to Mose and Earlie Perine Williams. She was the eighth sibling and the longest living. Her siblings who sleep are Robert Williams, Prince Williams, Phillip Williams, Rebecca Alexander, Frances Bennett, Mary Jones, and Bessie Gordon. Earlie was a member of St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church in Galveston from birth where she served faithfully until her health began to decline. Her father, Mose Williams, was one of the founders of the church in 1884. She was the church baker and would be called upon to bake for every event and fundraiser the church sponsored. Many times, baking up to 10 cakes for one day’s event. She not only baked for her church, but also her daughter’s church, West Point, where she was also loved and endeared. She was recognized as the oldest member of her church and received a plaque on her 100th birthday. Earlie attended public school in Galveston and graduated in the class of 1939 from Central High School located at Old Central on 27th & Avenue M. She was the last member of her class. She was interested in cosmetology and attended Franklin Beauty School in Houston after graduating from high school. She was an entrepreneur and operated Earlie’s Beauty Shop on 34th & Avenue N ½ for several years. Earlie joined the workforce and for 22 years worked for a group of doctors in the Professional Building and later worked at UTMB for 10 years as a clerk in the Operating Suite where she finally retired. After retirement, she enjoyed caring for her granddaughters, many other children of family members and friends, and cooking for all the children that passed through her home after school who waited for their parents to pick them up. She knew what every child liked to eat and what they wanted on their sandwich. Up until September when her strength declined, Mama was adamant about cooking Sunday dinner for her family which included the Tillmons. She would send dinners out to others and invited anyone to join her table. As with the widow of Zarephath, the Lord blessed mama and her cupboard never ran dry. No matter how many guests, somehow, everyone was fed. God favored Mama with strength to do what she loved even pass101years old. She pushed and was still cooking up until 3 weeks before her 102nd birthday. She always said, “let me do what I can as long as I can; I don’t want to sit around doing nothing.” Many of us will cherish the memories we have of “Mama”, “Grandma”, “Ms. Evans”: including her pride and joy daughter, Mary Ann Sandles (Esse); grandchildren, Steffanie Sandles, Grace Sandles, Jackie Johnson (Dru), Dr. Kerisha Tillmon, Keri Tillmon; special family, Rev. Dr. Kerry Tillmon and Eva Tillmon, Sharon Johnson, Emily Ward, Lonnetta Walker; nephews, Charles Williams, Leroy Gordon (Chandra), Matthew Gordon (Sharon); nieces, Betty Taylor, Juanita Anderson; great nephews, Earl Davis, Ronnie Bossett (Linda), Bernard Taylor, Gregory Taylor (Vickie), Randy Williams, Billy Williams (Annie), Spencer Williams; great nieces, Kathy Williams Bell, Kelly Williams, Lisa Brown (Ricky), Gina Victor (Karl), and Marsha McBeth (David), Corliss Simmoms, Sonia Jordan, Terri Brown; great grandchildren, Ariyel Johnson, Alexis Kimberly Johnson, Andrew Johnson IV, Toddrick Johnson; II; special friends, Naomi LeSure, Shawn Davis, LeVoir Lewis, Gloria Freeman; her St. Augustine Family, and numerous other family and friends.

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Earlie Evans

September 28, 1920 - October 9, 2022