Gertrude Evans

Gertrude Evans was born in Madison, Alabama to Walter and Richetta Betts. She was one of sixteen children (11 girls and 5 boys). She graduated from Central High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Following her graduation, she moved to Rockford, Illinois to live with her sister, Lottie Clayborn. Shortly after her arrival, she met and married the love of her life, David Evans Jr. They created a loving home and were extremely proud of their children: Patricia A. Scruggs, Angela D. Love-Washington, David Evans III, and Gregory A. Evans. Gertrude also displayed an unwavering work ethic, having worked at Atwood for over three decades until her retirement. David and Gertrude were married for 37 years and loved spending time together in their garden. They often gifted fresh fruits and vegetables to their extended family and many friends.Their extended family truly was extended as both Gert and Dave had many brothers and sisters that relocated to Rockford for work and family support. In addition to Gertrude’s own family, she also enjoyed many years with Dave’s side of the family. In addition to Florine Burnell, who is still with us, some but not all of Dave’s family that she loved in Rockford that have recently passed away are: Rosa Lee Lawson, James Willie Evans, and Maxine Block. Gertrude often reflected back on how much she enjoyed the many vacations spent with her family, from the early years of making trips to Alabama and Arkansas, to what at the time were true adventures, to Canada, to fish for walleye and pike, and experience fish fries on the lake, and the “big one that always got away.” She was grateful for having the opportunity to travel around the country for various educational and athletic events during their children’s high school and college years. The family will always remember these times as some of the happiest times in Gertrude’s life. David and Gertrude were both members for many years of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses (South Congregation) in Rockford, Illinois and later for Gertrude in Chandler (Ocotillo Lakes), Arizona. It was Gertrude’s faith in Jehovah that sustained her following the loss of her husband on September 25, 1989. She kept in mind the promise in: Acts 24:15. “I have hope towards God, which hope these [men] themselves also entertain, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and unrighteous.” After Dave’s death, Gertrude retired to Phoenix, Arizona in the early ‘90s where her three youngest children lived with their families. For many years she enjoyed being a ‘snowbird,’ travelling to visit friends and family, and her eldest daughter Patricia during the hot summer months and spending winters in Arizona. When in Phoenix, she enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s “ball games,” whether the ball was a soccer ball, basketball, football, or baseball. The family loved her Sunday dinners, and her quick wit. You could always get a plate and a laugh at her table. Later in life she would often say “she tried her best” whether it was the quality of her cooking or maintaining her relationship with Jehovah and her family and friends. Throughout her retirement, she enjoyed taking care of the yard, her association with the friends at the Kingdom Hall and her work in the ministry sharing the “good news” of God’s coming kingdom. Her years long friendships with friends in the congregation combined with her love for Jehovah earned her the title of one of the congregations “Golden Girls.”

Gertrude is preceded in death by her husband David Evans Jr., her daughter Patricia Scruggs (2019), her sisters in Rockford, Lottie Clayborn, Emma Houston and Bernice Houston (2018) along with eleven other siblings. Gertrude is survived by her sister Ethel Coleman, her daughter Angela D.(Richard) Love-Washington, her sons David III (Brenda), and Greg (Roxane) Evans. She is survived by her grandchildren Kiatonya (Michael) Blan, LaToshia Mullins, LaFarron (Cynthia) Mullins, Nicole (Paul) Milsap, Heather Love, David Evans IV, Glenn Love Jr., Quinn Evans, Ryan Evans, Shauna Evans, Lauren Evans, Zach Evans, great grandchildren (11) and great-great grandchildren (10). She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and a host of friends.

Goodbye for Now,

The Family

Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 4th at Sunset Funeral Home, 8800 N. Alpine Rd, Machesney Park. Visitation at 1 p.m. until time of service. Entombment following services in Sunset Memorial Gardens Chapel of Peace. To share a memory or condolence please visit www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com