Marie Evans

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marie C. Evans’ name to Shady Grove Baptist Church, Day Spring Hospice, or to any other organization of your choice that can continue to carry out the legacy of love and giving that Marie Christine epitomized.         

Marie Constance Christine Coone Evans was born on March 28, 1928 in Dale County, Alabama in the Sand Ridge community. She was one of 11 children born to Mr. John Franklin Coon and Mrs. Coria Blue Coon. She was born into a family with deep roots in Shady Grove Baptist Church and was baptized there at an early age.
She attended public schools in Coffee County, graduating from Coffee County Training School. She received a scholarship to study at the prestigious Julliard School of Music. However, her mother wanted to keep her closer to home so she attended Alabama State Teachers College, sang in the college choir and graduated in 1949.  After college, she taught school in Coffee County.  She also operated a Daycare.
Marie Christine met Henry Phillip Evans while he was in the U.S. Army stationed at then Camp Rucker. They were united in marriage at St. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church on July 6, 1952.She traveled widely throughout her life as a military spouse and through her love of travel - visiting and residing in; Germany and parts of Europe, Kentucky, Georgia, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC to name a few places.  During that time she worked as a teacher in some locations. The couple retired back to Enterprise when Master Sergeant Evans completed his military career. Marie continued to support him in his educational pursuits and his career in Civil Service until his passing in 1989.
She was a lifelong learner and returned to college. She received her Master’s degree from Troy University in 1999 at the age of 71 after several years of driving herself to classes at the Troy Dothan campus. That accomplishment was exactly 50 years after graduating from ASU. She wrote a weekly column in the Enterprise Ledger. She also shared her musical talent by singing at numerous events and ceremonies. 
She was active in and held various leadership positions in local and regional organizations – Worthy Matron of Hosanna Chapter #80 Order of the Eastern Star, Semper Fidelis Club, Charter and Dove member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated for 71 years, Life member of the NAACP, voting precinct worker, Retired Teachers Association, Alabama State University Alumni Association. In addition, she supported numerous other organizations including the Relay for Life, Sand Ridge Community, Baptist Hill Community, Coffee County Training School and Coppinville Alumni Association. She received numerous awards and citations in recognition of her involvement in the community. Someone said of her, “Mrs. Evans was always willing to help anybody that needed help.”
While she never had children of her own, she served as a mother figure for her nieces and nephews and for many youth who “adopted” her as a Mom. 
She enjoyed traveling, singing, shopping, going out to eat, reading, and faithfully supporting Shady Grove Baptist Church in various ways. She was always eager to freely share the latest achievements of her family and to dress up and attend the important events in the lives of her family and friends. She maintained a very independent and active lifestyle until the onset of a recent illness – continuing to maintain her longtime residence even to drive herself in her favored Cadillac past the age of 90. She was just a force to be reckoned with.
Marie Evans was preceded in death by her mother, father, 10 siblings and her devoted husband. 
Marie Evans is survived by several devoted nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, other family members, friends, members of  other organizations to which she belonged and numerous others whose life she touched. She cared for her family and community, and generously gave so much. Those who knew and were inspired by Marie Christine Evans will miss her.
 

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