Allen Duane Evans

Allen Duane Evans was born in Berrien Center, Michigan to Ernest Evans and Annie Mae Rice. He grew up in Benton Harbor and moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University in 1975. While at Western Allen was active in Phi Delta Psi Fraternity, Black Business Student Association, and the Ujimah Organization. He moved to Lansing after graduating with a degree in business/finance. He joined True Light Missionary Baptist Church and was an active member, singing in the Male Chorus, Sunday School teacher and on the Deacon Board for 10+ years. He worked at Michigan National Bank before starting with the State of Michigan in 1983. He worked as a Corrections Officer in Ionia before transferring to the Department of Labor (now Labor and Economic Opportunity – LEO) in the Wage and Hour Division where he worked as a Senior Investigator for almost 36 years until his retirement in 2020. Allen was a member of Toastmasters International. In his spare time he enjoyed golfing (for a short period of time), reading business and finance newspapers and magazines, and anything related to and about Batman. He was a giver and willing to share whatever he had. He loved his family and lovingly cared for his mother and brother during their illness. Allen also enjoyed spending time with his nieces and nephews, especially playing various games at the annual Rice family reunions; he was a big kid at heart and had an infectious smile.

Allen was preceded in death by his mom and three siblings, Marilyn, Curtis, and Bobby. He peacefully passed into glory on Saturday, August 28, 2021, at his home surrounded by his loved ones. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Cynthia Evans, one sister, Claretta (Melvin) Miller of Southfield, Michigan; three brothers, Pastor Marvin (Rosia) Martin Sr. of Benton Harbor, Michigan, Amos Evans of Muskegon, Michigan and Edward (Lisa) Jones of Kansas City, Missouri; three aunts, Barbara McWilliams of Kansas City, Missouri, and Wan Jean Bell and Flora Thomas of Kalamazoo, Michigan; two godchildren Jeremy Hollins and Brandi Blair; beloved family pet, Mikee; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.