Mary L. Evans

Mary Lucille Jackson was born Sept. 22, 1933, in John, Alabama to Mr. David Jackson and Hattie Bell Jackson. They also had one son; David Jackson Jr. born Aug. 30, 1930.  Her mother remarried Mr. Amos Perry Sr. To this union seven boys were born, Joe, Amos Jr. Mack, Zack, Lester, Aaron, and William Perry. Preceding her in death: her mother Hattie Bell Perry, stepfather Amos Perry Sr., brothers Joe, Zack, Lester, William, father David Jackson, and brother David Jr. She was brought to Cleveland by her mother's sister, Aunt Ida on July 7, 1943. Her two aunts raised her and were very loyal and delicate to her. She was educated in Cleveland Schools. Mary was raised in a Baptist family and was baptized at an early age. At the age of 12, she met Walter Evans, who became her husband. He was the love of her life. He always picked on her and would pass by and pull on her long Shirley Temple curls. She began dating him at the age of 16 and it continued for 5 years. They broke up but he told her she just couldn't quit him. Walter's family were members of the Church of Christ. She learned about the church by going with them. In 1952, under the preaching of the late Thomas O. Jackson, she confessed Christ and was baptized. After a few years some things she did not understand, and she asked the late Brother John S. Winston to re-baptize her and he did. On July 3, 1954, she was united in holy matrimony to Mr. Walter Lee Evans. To this union, four children were born: Rosalind Ruff, Dwayne Evans, Shari Beck, and Sabrina Evans.  She worked at University Hospital Dept. of Rainbow Babies and Children from 1955-1959 as a nursing assistant. She loved life and she loved to serve the Lord at her home church (The University Church of Christ) and visit other churches. She also supported Southwestern Christian College. For twelve years she went to the Annual National Lectureship in different cities and states, in addition to the Senior Lectureship. She loved cooking, baking, bowling, and watching her sports. She loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit many countries overseas: The Holy Land, Europe (Germany, Holland, Paris) and the state of Hawaii. She had the opportunity to go through the tunnel where Princess Diana was killed and what a beautiful sight to see. She had a chance to go on a week cruise to many islands. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children: Rosalind Ruff, Dwayne Evans, Shari Beck (Ernest) and Sabrina Evans; brothers Amos Perry Jr., Mack Perry (Laura), Aaron Perry; sisters-in-law Gail Evans, Juanita Evans, and Jeraline Evans; grandchildren Ari Stennis, Lauren Askew, Ernest Beck III, Taylor Rembert, Ricky Thompson and Myles Beck; great-grandchildren; Keiari, Prince, Karter Rae', Justice and Alayah; and a host of loved nieces and nephews, extended family, and many cherished friends and pets; Special Friends, Clark Nelson, Lenora Kelton and William Brown.