Mary Evans

Mary Permenter Evans was born May Lizzie Permenter on November 22, 1931, in Rochelle, Georgia. At a young age, while attending the Gillespie-Seldon Institute, she decided she simply didn’t like her name, so she changed it to Mary Elizabeth. That was Mary. 😊 Mary graduated from Gillespie and continued her education at Barbara Scotia college where she received a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

In college, she tutored children during spring break in Cape Cod. During summers, she worked as a sales rep at Wannamaker’s. After graduating college, she returned to Gillespie-Seldon institute to teach adult education.

In 1960, Mary married Wilburn Evans Jr. In 1965, the couple moved to Philadelphia and started a family shortly thereafter. Mary dedicated herself to raising her children and supporting her church. She was a faithful member of First African Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for several years. She taught Sunday school, actively supported the Boy Scouts, and kept her children involved in activities in the church and community year-round.

On Friday, October 21, 2022, the Lord called Mary home. In addition to her parents Bennie Permenter and Lue Delia Griggs Permenter, she was proceeded in death by her ex-husband Wilburn Evans Jr; her brothers Bennie Wesley Permenter, Robert Lee Permenter (Jonelle), Jay Permenter (Verney); and sisters Essie Flowers (David) and Elmina Cooks (Raymond).

She leaves to cherish her memories: her children Wilburn Evans III and Shawn Darnell Evans; sister Lelia P. Evelyn Brown (Otha); grandchildren Brandon Evans, Ahmir Evans, Christina Evans, Courtney Evans, Alexander Cornejo, Makayla Steiner, and Jasmine Evans; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AllevaFuneralHome.com for the Evans family.