Clair Louise Brown Evans, affectionately known to many as “GiGi”, was born on April 23, 1917, in Nuberg, Georgia to Frank Wiggins Brown and Bobbie Ida McCurry Brown, the middle of 5 children, she passed away on August 13, 2023, at the age of 106.
GiGi attended schools and the Methodist church in Nuberg. It was at a church function when she was 14 years old that she saw “the best-looking boy in town”. They began dating two years later when she was allowed to date. She married Albert Sidney Evans under an oak tree in front of the church on August 12, 1934. Soon after marrying, the couple moved to Elberton, Georgia and set up house. On July 13, 1938, the couple welcomed the first of 2 daughters, Mary Helen. In 1943, the family moved to Brunswick, Georgia so Sid could work at the shipyards. On July 22, 1946, the couple welcomed their second daughter, Patsy Louise. GiGi was a home maker and stayed at home mom until Patsy entered school. While staying at home she loved to sew and sewed most of her daughter’s clothes, including both of their wedding dresses. In 1952, she decided to take a part-time job at J C Penney’s which ended up being a career that lasted 30 years. It was during this time in April, 1968 that she unexpectedly lost the love of her life, Sid. The couple shared lunch together almost every day and after lunch upon Sid’s return to work, he had a heart attack and died at his desk. A widow for 55 years, she never dated, siting the love that she and Sid shared. Gigi continued working until a mandatory age retirement forced her to leave Penney’s in 1982. She enjoyed a very short retirement of only 3 years when she was asked to come back and help open the new store. She then worked for 3 more years. She went back to work at the age of 77 as a favor to the owner of a local bookstore for what was going be a year, she stayed 4.
In 2004, after living in her house for 48 years, she made the decision to move closer to family in Oklahoma. She first moved to Okmulgee and lived in a house on her own not far from Helen and her husband, Henry. After 3 years in Okmulgee, it was decided the 3 of them would move to Broken Arrow to be closer to better health care and more services. They moved into a house with GiGi occupying the second floor. The desire to be closer to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, the 3 some moved to Granbury, Texas in 2019. At the time of her death, GiGi was residing at The Oaks of Granbury.
Gigi was an avid sports fan particularly baseball and golf. She was a Braves fan for most of her life attending several games but always watching them on TV. She could recite stats on most all players and give you many details most did not know. She saw games in many stadiums all around America. She loved to travel as well. She wasn’t afraid to drive halfway across the country to see her family and loved to go on many bus trips with her friends from her church of 60 years, First Baptist Church of Brunswick. When asked the secret to her long life, she often spoke of her love of the Lord and trying to always have a positive attitude.
Gigi was preceded in death by her parents, her 4 siblings and her husband. Also preceding her were her two daughters: Helen Maxey and Patsy Sellers; Patsy’s husband Gary. She is survived by her son-in-law, husband of Helen, Henry Maxey and her grandchildren: Tal Maxey and wife Jody; Cathi Clanton; and Rick Maxey and partner Gary. By her great grandchildren: Lauren Morrison and husband Micheal; Jessica Jeter and husband Kris; and Auston Clanton and wife Jillian. Also surviving her are her 5 great great grandchildren: Jase Jeter, Corban Morrison, Gage Jeter, Isabella Clanton and Savannah Clanton. She is also survived by countless friends which she considered her extended family.
Visitation will be Friday, August 18, 2023, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Wiley Funeral Home, 400 Highway 377 East, Granbury, Texas 76048
A private family graveside service will be held in Brunswick, Georgia.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Evans family.
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