She was a member of the Gardendale First Baptist Church. She enjoyed doing activities with her church family. She often volunteered to help with meals and provide for the needs of others. Evelyn had a love for country cooking. Many dishes were requested but the one that stood above the rest was her famous green beans. She retired from BellSouth in 1992 with 36 years of service. She retired to become one of her favorite names, Mema. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and family. You would often find her at the ballpark cheering for her grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan and loved sharing stats with her family.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, John Burns, of 66 years. Her parents, John Gertis and Nellie Mae James; two siblings, John James Jr. and Virginia Shipp; son-in-law, Billy McPherson.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Karen McPherson; son, Daren Burns (Jennifer); grandchildren, Michael McPherson (Meredith), Mary Catherine Cleveland (Sam), Brandi McPherson, Carter Burns (Katie), and Caroline Henry (Wallace); great grandchildren, Ellie Kate Cleveland, Emma Caroline Cleveland, and Palmer Leigh Burns, and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the caregivers: Neisha Tate, Melissa Dixon,
Tomiko Hudson and Kiona Dial for their kindness, support, and care shown to our mother during the past two years.
The family would also like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Affinity Hospice for their
care and support.
Celebration of Life Services will be held Friday, November 22, 2024 with a time of visitation at Ridout’s
Gardendale Chapel from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m with a funeral service in the chapel at 2:00 p.m followed by burial at Oakwood Memorial Gardens, Gardendale, AL
Pallbearers: Carter Burns, Michael McPherson, Doyle Burns, Samuel Cleveland, Wallace Henry, and Troy Godwin
