Month: November 2023

Funeral Services for Lillie Mae Evans were held on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 12 p.m. at the Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 43323 Highway 17, Jachin, AL with Rev. McSellin Ray officiating.  Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Lillie Mae Evans was born in Ward, AL on November 20, 1934, to the late Nellie Fluker and Wilton Ward.  She confessed Christ as her personal savior at an early age and was a member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church until her spirit returned to God on the evening of November 16, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, John Eddie Evans.

. Lillie Mae Evans graduated from Choctaw County High School. While she housed many talents, she was a master seamstress and was a “Jill of all trades”. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, auntie, cousin, and most of all, a friend.

Lillie Mae Evans leaves to cherish her love and memories: six loving children, Gloria Edwards (Willie-deceased), Brenda Walker, Mableton, GA, Tommie Evans, Ward, AL, Patricia Evans-Ewing (Ronald), Myra Evans-Brown, Jonesboro, GA, and Nathan Evans (Tressie), Austell, GA; fourteen grandchildren, Titoranio Edwards, Angel Edwards (deceased), Christopher Walker, Nikole Walker, Jamar Evans, Demetrius Evans, Chantis Evans Brown, Kendall Jackson, Tanika Evans, Patrice Evans, Brieanna Evans, Asia Brown, Neba Evans and Neru Evans; nineteen great-grandchildren.  She was also cherished by two brothers and five sisters, Herman B. Ward (Lillie), Bellamy, AL, Joseph Ward-deceased (Ida), Peoria, IL, Narciss Ward, Bellamy, AL, Jinelle Johnson, Detroit, MI, Elizabeth Thompson, Peoria, IL, Lucy Steele, Chicago, IL, and Ida Tirer, NV; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Service for Vernice “Bunt” Thomas, age 75, was held Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Mariah Baptist Church in Gilbertown, AL with Elder Eddie Land officiating.  Interment followed at Kaiser Hill Cemetery in Gilbertown, AL.

Mrs. Vernice Thomas was born March 23, 1948 to Alberta and Alfred Howard, Sr. in Melvin, AL.  She transitioned from labor to reward on November 17, 2023.  She was preceded in death by her husband, James “JT” Thomas; her parents, Albert Sr. & Alberta Howard; sister, Lola Everette; brother, Horace Howard; mother-in-law, Jessie Lee Sledge; and brother-in-law, LC Smith.

Vernice received her early education at Melvin and Shady Grove High Schools.  During her teenage years, she met and later married James “JT” Thomas.  They shared 55 years of marital bliss before his death.

Vernice was an industrious woman, starting her professional career at the sewing factory in Toxey, AL.  She then moved on to become a homemaker and co-owner and operator of JT’s Club for over 40 years, along with her husband.  She was a member of Mt. Mariah Baptist Church; however, due to illness, she could not attend regularly.  Following the death of her husband, she relocated to Livingston, AL and resided with her son.

Cherished memories will linger in the hearts of her son and daughter-in-law, Ronny & Lawanda Thomas; grandson, Xavier M. Thomas, Esq.; one sister, Louise Smith of Waynesboro, MS; one brother, Alfred Howard, Jr. (Betty) of Albany, NY; four sisters-in-law, Catherine Howard, Melvin, AL, Gladys Foster, Toxey, AL, Pearlie Jones, Detroit, MI, Rogennia (Lee) Roscoe, Toxey, AL; one brother-in-law, Claude (Hazel) Moore, Butler, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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