Idella Evans

Idella Evans was a woman who was very loving and outgoing all of her life. Her greatest joy was working with children whether they were students in her classroom or her own grandchildren. Idella died suddenly at her home Saturday, January 11, 2003.

She was born February 1, 1938 in Gough, GA., the daughter of Ezekiel and Sammie (Turner) Stephens. Her family moved to Chicago when Idella was a little girl. She stayed in Georgia with her grandmother and joined her family later on. Idella graduated from Marshall High School in Chicago in 1956 and after attending college, earned her teaching credentials and taught at Holy Name of Mary School. During this period she attended a party with some friends and met a young man named Henry Evans. They began spending time together and on February 8, 1958 they were united in marriage.

While living in Chicago, she was a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church. Later, she became an usher at Beth Eden Baptist Church. Idella was active in Girl Scouts and was a Girl Scout Leader. She also loved to roller skate, dance, go camping and travel. Recently she had been taking lessons to learn to play the organ.

In addition to her husband, Idella leaves behind to cherish her memory her children and their spouses Christopher Evans of Portage, Anthony and Vivian Evans of Columbia, MO, Henry and Olivia Evans, Jr. of Kalamazoo, Sir Sean Evans of Portage, Vicki Evans and her companion Melvin Lasenby of Kalamazoo, grandchildren, Maria, Margurie, Anthony, Jr., Monique, Kendall, Kandice and Keoshi, brothers and sisters and their spouses, Ezekiel and Helen Stephens, Jr. of Chicago, Otis and Rosie Stephens of South Holland, IL, Joseph and Rochelle Stephens of Maywood, IL, Rosalie Wallace of Maywood, IL, Sarah Golliday of Toledo, OH, a step-sister Fannie Mae Lockhart of Keysville, GA and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A wake for Idella will be held Saturday from 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church where a service to celebrate her life will take place at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Addis Moore officiating. Idella will be buried in Mt. Ever-rest Cemetery.

Arrangements by Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren Funeral Home Portage Chapel

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