Graveside services for Betty M. Evans, 94, will be Friday, September 18, 2020, at 12 noon at Locust Grove Cemetery in Anguilla, MS. Pastor T.D. Wicks will be officiating.  Visitation will be Thursday, September 17, 2020, from 4-6 p.m. in the Adele Walker Memorial Chapel at Walker Funeral Home in Rolling Fork. Ms. Evans died September 13, 2020 at the Sharkey- Issaquena Community Hospital in Rolling Fork.

Bettie Mae Watts Evans was born June 17, 1926, to Susie Askew Watts and Lewis Watts in Bellevue (Dallas County), Alabama. Her husband, King Thomas Evans; parents; son, Carl Shephard Evans; daughter-in-law, Earnestine Mayberry Watts; granddaughter, Lisa Bishop Walker; seven brothers, Herman, William, Roosevelt, Frank, Coleman, Lewis and Jimmie; and three sisters, Delleana Watts Glover, Willie Watts Hampton and Thelma Watts Freeman preceded her in death.

The formative years of her life were spent in Bellevue, Alabama where she attended church and school at the Friendship Baptist Church. Aside from teachings imparted by her parents and grandparents, it seems appropriate for her moral foundation to be shaped at a church named Friendship. The word aptly describes the manner in which she greeted and treated others – in friendship.

In 1938, she moved to Mississippi with her aunt and uncle, Lucinda and Robert Christian. She attended the Dry Bend Rosenwald School south of Anguilla. In high school, she was a good student and basketball player.

Later, she was united in holy matrimony to King Thomas Evans. Along with her son, Cleveland and his daughter, Geneva, they added six children to complete their family.

She attended the Pleasant Green Baptist Church and was baptized in 1942 by Reverend E. S. Hicks. She was an active member of the Sunday School and sang in the choir. Later, she moved her membership to Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend V. T. Taylor where she remained faithful throughout her life. At Christian Light, she was president of the Usher Board for over fifty (50) years, Sunday School (Intermediate Class) teacher, Bible Study teacher, Fellowship Hall assistant, and served on the Women's Day, Family Day, Halloween Carnival, and Christmas Program committees. In addition, she served as secretary of the Sharkey County Ushers Association. Over the years, she enjoyed working with the Busy Bee Club and chaperoning youth field trips. She was present most times the church doors opened to assure that all was in order. She believed and instilled in her children, ushers and students that appropriate order and protocol should be followed in all their endeavors.

For a short time, she was employed by SCR Sewing Factory in Anguilla. Later, she completed requirements for the GED at Mississippi Valley State University. She graduated Deluxe Beauty College in Greenville, Mississippi, passed the State Board Examination for Cosmetology in 1975 and opened Bettie's Beauty Shop in Anguilla. She combined her creative talents for hair styling with a compassion for listening and offering guidance to her customers, especially young ladies. She maintained an active business until she retired in 2001.

Politically and socially conscious, she was a member of the Sharkey County Branch of the NAACP and devoted time and resources to advance de-segregation and voter registration in the area. She was one of the first Blacks to work in local elections as a poll worker at Anguilla Precinct Number 4 and later served as poll manager for several years. Her circle of friends expanded through her memberships with the Home Demonstration Club, the Sister Aid Society, the Elite Social Club and the Order of the Eastern Stars.

She was active in all her children's school activities and chaperoned or attended most games, programs, pageants, plays, and rehearsals. She was a member of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and later the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), where she helped organize fundraising events to address unmet needs at North Sharkey County Elementary School.

She enjoyed life and loved sewing, cooking and counseling. She always made guests in her home feel welcome and comfortable. It was common knowledge in the community that Bettie Evans' table would always accommodate extra guests. Sunday dinners at Bettie's were a magnate for family and friends. Her children and grandchildren would frequently surprise her by coming "home for dinner" from their homes in other cities. Bettie was a wonderful role model and surrogate mother to numerous young people who came to her for guidance and support, thus garnering for her a network of multi-generational friends.

She loved family and devoted her life to ensuring that their needs were met. She was one of the original organizers of the Bolden Family reunion and a strong supporter of the Evans Family reunion. For over forty (40) years, she traveled the country for their gatherings.

She transitioned on Sunday, September 13, 2020, and is survived by sons, Cleveland Watts of Natchez, Mississippi and King T. (Nadean) Evans, Jr. of Anguilla, Mississippi; daughters, Geneva E. Bishop of Chicago, Illinois, Sidney E. (Robert) Cole of St. Louis, Missouri, A. Carolyn E. (Obra) Hackett of Jackson, Mississippi, V. Lynn Evans of Memphis, Tennessee and Dora E. (Stanley) Sisney of Jackson, Mississippi; daughters/nieces, Susie Campbell Philipp of Roseville, California and Mary Elaine Bolden of Gardenia, California; son/nephew, Dwayne (Subrina) Bolden of Jackson, Mississippi.

In addition, her legacy continues through her grandsons, Undra (Rose) Washington of Greenville, Mississippi, Julian (Rosa) Bishop of San Jose, Costa Rica, Obra V. (Shebra) Hackett, Jr. of Grand Prairie, Texas, Christopher K. (Lori) Evans of Cordova, Tennessee, Tracy D. Evans of Jackson, Mississippi, and Cleveland Watts, Jr. of Houston, Texas; granddaughters, Rhonda Watts (Rolston) Williams and Tangila Watts (Gerald) Dove of Converse, Texas, Tiffany D. (Bernard) Berryhill of Webb, Mississippi, Constance E. A. Evans of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Whitney J. Sisney of Houston, Texas and Bridget D. Sisney of Walls, Mississippi; special grandsons/nephews, Anthony (Rebecca) Philipp of Roseville, California and George S. (Laureen) Philipp of Folsom, California; special granddaughter/niece, Carlissa Lovette of Anguilla, Mississippi; great-grandchildren who brought her unspeakable delight; sister, Corine Watts Lovette of Anguilla, Mississippi; sisters-in-law, Elsie Watts of Birmingham, Alabama and Comelita Watts of Greenville, Mississippi; brother-in-law, Floyd Hampton of Rolling Fork, Mississippi; and special niece, Donna Lovette (Earl) Anderson of Anguilla, Mississippi.

Although we're deeply saddened by her passing, we will celebrate her life with great joy and gratitude forever.