The Evans Family

Family Over Everything !

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If you have news to share with the family, e-mail Darlene at [email protected] and I'll be happy to include it!

GRAND GRADUATES!

Congratulations to Resa Evans, daughter of Richard Evans (son of late elder Herman Evans) who graduated from Linden McKinley High School with the class of 2010!

The family is proud to acknowledge Frank Thurston who is a 2009 high school graduate! Frank is the grandson of the late Elder Cleopatra Jones and son of Rhonda Dean.

Let's hear it for Barbara Catus (daughter of the late elder Inease Perry) who graduated Sunday, May 31, 2009 from Walden University with a Master's Degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on Health Services.

Brandon Hammond (grandson of elder Edith Jones and son of William & Bettyanne Hammond) graduated May 10, 2009 with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Minds and Technology. He will take the oath of office to join the U.S. Air Force. ON June 9th he will depart to Maxwell Air Force Base to attend Basic Officer Training School (BOTS) afterwhich be commissioned as an officer and continue his career in the USAF. Props to Brandon for an awesome achievement!

Elder Roger Evans is a proud father whose baby girl, Corinne is graduating from High School on May 31, 2008. Corrine is also a new bride. Additionally, Roger is a great grandfather! His grandson, Dahlen just welcomed the fourth generation of male lineage for Roger's line of children.

News Archives

Please pray for Irma Anderson (daughter of Lillie Canada) in the passing of her husband Jimmie Anderson. Jimmie succumbed Thursday, July 8th. Information regarding funeral arrangements will be posted as soon as they are available. May the fervent, effectual prayers of the righteous avail on her behalf for comfort and peace during this time of loss.

Check out Shirl Lowery (granddaughter of the late Louise Canada) who is a touring Gospel Rap Artist who goes by the psuedo name "Virtuous". She is awesomely anointed! She currently has a CD available entitled "Repairing the Breach" and a new album being released soon entitled "The Illuminator". Check out her website at http://www.virtuouswomanshirl.webs.com. 

Check out cousin Nate Canada (son of the late elder Louise Canada) in the following video by Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir Feat. Marvin Sapp "God Favored Me".

Hezekiah Walker & LFC feat. Marvin Sapp "God Favored Me" from Bobby Yan on Vimeo.

M. Darlene Carson's production of Saints&Aints - February 27, 2010, 7:00 p.m.

Career Tracks

Jeffrey Perry (Norma Perry's son) is enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received top honors in the first month of service.

Tamara Perry (Naomi Lee's daughter) is in a Management Position at the Arby's Restaurant. She is presently pursuing training for a higher position in one month. (I'm thinking Arby's)

BOOK RELEASE (2007) BY OUR FAMILY TAWNA!!!!

Tawna Shanice is the daughter of Rhonda Dean (Elder Cleopatra and Uncle Junior's granddaughter). Look for the above book she penned in bookstores now!

Naomi Perry-Lee is listed on poetry.com in the Library of Poets. Check out the site and enjoy some of her master poetry pieces!

NEW ADDITIONS TO THE FAMILY...

ENGAGEMENTS, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARIES

Best Wishes for a Happy Marriage to Joey and Shaqueta Canada, married February 23, 2008. Joey is the son of Sandra Canada and grandson of Elder, Louise Canada.

Birthday Wishes

We wish family members who are celebrating birthdays a blessed and prosperous year! "May happy surprises come to you each day, and may you look with wonder at that which is

before you!

Welcome to the Family!!

Let's welcome KeMar Ethan Windley/Jones to the family. He was born on February 2, 2010 to Michael Jones, Jr. who is the son of Michael Jones (son of late elder Cleopatra Jones). KeMar weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz. and is as handsome as Dad and Grandpa!

Sensational Students

Shay Jones (daughter of James and Delena Jones) graduated in December and is now employed as a Medical Assistant. Congratulations, Shay! You make us proud! (Charleston, WV)

Brandon Hammond (son of Bill Hammond) is a student at South Dakota School of Minds and Technology. He will graduate May 9, 2009 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He will take the oath of office to join the U.S. Air Force and June 9th leave for Maxwell Air Force Base to attend Basic Officer Training School (BOTS) afterwhich, be commissioned an officer to begin his career in the U.S. Air Force.

Robert Hammond (son of Bill Hammond) earned certification as an (EMT) Emergency Medical Technician from Pennington County, South Dakota during the summer.

Tiffany Loeffler (daughter of Bill Hammond) has completed her studies and has accomplished her goal to become a Licensed Mortgage Broker in Rapid City, SD

Milaan Colvin (daughter of Gigi) is fifth grader at Stratton Elementary School and has been appointed to serve as a Peer Leader....and made Honor Roll! Go Milaan! We're proud of you!

Deitra "Dee Dee" Colvin (daughter of Gigi) achieved Honor Roll status at Stratton Elementary School this semester! Keep it up, Dee Dee!

Kiesha Canada's oldest son Darelle Canada (Lillie Canada's great grandson), made student of the month and is an honor roll student. He is also the Lead Trumpet player in his school band.

Way to go, Alyea Canada! Alyea holds a 3.8 grade point average and attends the University of Rochester in New York! She is the daughter of Lynn (Skeetah) Canada and the granddaughter of senior elder Lillie Canada! Way to represent, Alyea! Your family is behind you 100%!

ey, Everyone! Check Out Photos of the trip to Philadelphia! Keep Auntie Louise in your prayers!

Beverly - Auntie Louise's daughter

Aunt Edith, Nate and Sandra (Auntie Louise's Daughter) + Aunt Edith and Sandra

Nate, Aunt Louise, Aunt Edith

Aunt Louise, Aunt Edith

Nate, Jr. and his lady Diane -- Cousin Sheri'

Nate and Ann's daughter Ivy on the telephone

Bev's husband Paul -- Gigi and Angie (Doll's Daughters)

Ann, Nate Jr., Diane -- Nate's Daughter Amber and Ann's Grandma

Princess - R.I.P.

While in Pennsylvania, Nate's niece's hamster Princess passed. The family had a memorial service for Princess with music, message and high emotion just because Princess was part of the family.

The Evans 2007 Reunion was a Stone Cold Blast!

The Evans family of West Virginia has been holding a biennial family reunion every other year since 2001. While we continue to learn and make mistakes, the work has helped to create the kind of family that is seldom seen today. Our reunions have helped maintain a strong family bond across several generations and among families separated by many miles.

If you weren't there, You Missed It!

The Evans Family Reunion was held as scheduled in Beckley, WV. Family members traveled from as close as down the street and from as far away as South Dakota. We had a great time and we have the photos to prove it! Just check out the 2007 Reunion Gallery Page.

Friday Night - Fish Fry, August 10th. This event took place at Aunt Edith's house in Beckley, WV. Doll, Janine, Scotty and David doubled as hosts and cooks. Lorenzo hooked up the DJ sounds and played an awesome array of music to please the old and the young. The menu included whiting fish, fresh croaker, catfish, and bass, squirrel (yes, grilled squirrel), brats, cole slaw, hot dogs, and an assortment of drinks. It was great to see all who attended, especially those who came to the reunion for the first time! First timers included: Wandell Cheese, Junior Perry, "Baby Jim" or James Cheese, Cynthia Evans, Eddie Evans, hmmmm, did I miss anyone? Probably. But count it to the head and not the heart! For many of us this was our first time meeting our cousins who had been away from home for so many years!

The Evans Family Memorial honoring those who have passed was a moving ceremony. A prayer was lead by Minister Nate Canada as the family stood, holding hands in a circle surrounding the "evergreen tree" that would be planted as a living memorial of our descendants. Elder Roger Evans eloquently spoke regarding the tree's significance with its roots which represent those who were the foundation of the Evans family that have passed on and the branches that represent each of us. He imparted to everyone the necessity of staying connected, growing together, and carrying on the legacy that started at the root of the family and that will continue through our children. He so named the memorial "The Evans Tree of Life". He asked that everyone come to Aunt Edith's backyard where the tree will grow and find solace and reminisce with this tree that has been planted as a memorial to our family that has passed on. After his memorial words, Cousin Naomi Perry sang a moving rendition "Somewhere Around the Throne" as the tree was planted in its place and the eldest and youngest of each family put a shovel of dirt at the base of the tree to symbolically share in the planting of the the Memorial Tree. The ceremony culminated by calling out the names of family members who have passed. Photos of this ceremony will be shared soon.

Saturday - Cookout, August 11th. Okay, truth be told, everyone actually had a free morning to hang out and do whatever. Some people hung out at the hotel, others went shopping, and a few slept in. I was in the up and at 'em group along with Janine, James, Janet, and Cathy -- making sure that everything was in place and ready for the day! The Evans Boys rolled in with their motorcycle club, the "Saddle Tramps"! And, my did they come in full force! By noon, the cook out had started and smiles, hugs, conversations and memories were the order of the day. There was so much food, steak, ribs, prime rib roast, squirrel again, bratwursts, pork chops, hot dogs, hamburgers, cabbage, green beans, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, pasta salad, crab salad, corn bread, and you name it! Everyone was starving, so Cousin Doll welcomed everyone and acknowledged the elders and those who had came from far and near. Elder Roger Evans presented a token of appreciation to Cousin Doll that was given by the family for her efforts in bringing the family together. By then, the natives were getting restless, people were ready to eat, a family blessing was prayed by Eddie Evans, and the family proceeded to get their eat on.

Next came the family photos! There were sooooo many family members there (thank you God!), that it was kinda hard tearing people away from their food and conversations, but thankfully we had patient photographers! Here are photos of each clan that was represented.

Aunt Lillie's Clan

Aunt Edith's Clan

Uncle Norman's Clan

Uncle Herman's Clan

Aunt Inease's Clan

Aunt Patra's Clan

Aunt Louise's Clan

The family attendance trophy won by Aunt Lillie's clan in 2005 was taken by Uncle Herman's clan with 39 attendees. Check out the photo below. Cousin Charles Cheese poked fun noting that perhaps they only won because they picked up strangers along the way! Aunt Lillie's eldest son, Wandell "Sonny" handed over the trophy reluctantly but not without a challenge for the 2009 trophy.

The 2007 Attendance Trophy relinquished from the Lillie Canada clan to the Herman Evans clan

Wandell "Sonny" Cheese and Roger Evans

The Family Talent Show consisted of two (2) categories: Youth and Adult. The judges were: Janine, Jimmie and Veronica. The Youth Talent Show had two (2) competitors from the Herman Evans clan, they were Linnease and Lorenzo. Linnease won a $10 cash prize. The competition was tough but judges deliberated and Linnease won for her contemporary dance styles. Check out the video excerpt below:

Linnease won 1st Place for the above Contemporary Dance Rendition

The Adult Talent competition was musical, with each contestant using their singing talent to compete for the coveted trophy. Entrants included: Nate Canada, the Evans Brothers, and the Perry Family. Wow, can our family harmonize and 'sang'! This deliberation was the hardest, so hard in fact that the judges turned the decision making over to the family to be determined by the applause of reunion attendees. The trophy was confirmed and awarded based upon applause to the Perry Family.

All and all, the 2007 family reunion was WONDERFUL! Let us commend the Reunion Committee for a job well done. We had a great time and all look forward to the 2009 gathering. Registrations were up this year and everyone who contributed, we thank you immensely. We have been able to reserve and pay for the New River Park Shelter for the next reunion. We came out in the black this year with a total of approximately $650.

Please begin now to send in your 2009 registration fees so that we can be more efficient in bringing our family an event that is done in excellence! Designate a representative of your clan to be responsible for spreading the word and collecting money to be sent in as soon as possible! God bless you! We love you!

Keep checking back for more excerpts of the 2007 Family Reunion.

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