Mary Evelyn Hand, a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, and loving friend, passed away on November 12, 2022, at the age of 90. Evelyn was a long-time resident of Forsyth, GA, and member of the Rock Creek Baptist Church. She was born on March 24, 1932, and raised in Slocomb, AL to Robert Howard & Eva Youngblood Andrews along with her ten (10) brothers and sisters.
Evelyn dedicated her life to her family who she loved so very much. She married Raymond Hand, her husband of 44 years, supporting her husband’s military career and raising their four sons. They lived in Louisiana, Texas, Alaska, Oklahoma, and in Columbus, GA where he retired from the Army in 1974.
The Hand household was filled with love and music. It was the gathering place for family and friends to come play music, sing, and dance to gospel, bluegrass, and country songs until early hours in the morning. Family reunions were a very special time for everyone creating memories which we will never forget. Evelyn always made sure that there was food on the table (including family favorites) and that everyone was enjoying themselves. At every family gathering, Evelyn would be in the middle of the family circle singing gospel songs that were so very special to her.
Evelyn is predeceased by her husband, Raymond Hand. Surviving are her sons, Donald Hand (Connie) of Newport News, VA, Billy Hand (Donna) of Forsyth, GA, David Hand (Cathy) of Warner Robins, GA, and Carl Hand (Patti) of Tavares, FL. Also surviving are eleven (11) grandchildren, seventeen (17) great grandchildren, and two (2) great-great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Evelyn’s Life will be held on at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary-Columbus, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA 31907 on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 2:00PM in the Mill Room. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tunnel to Towers Foundation (t2t.org/donate) in memory of Evelyn Hand.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Hand family.
