View Funeral Program - The Leevy`s Funeral Home

Honorary Pallbearers
C. A. Johnson Class of 1959, Varick Men of Jones Memorial and The Winners Club
Pallbearers
Quincy Rumph
Jusef Lewis
Anthony Lewis
Kendrick L. Hammond
Carl Lewis
Wyatt McKenly Evans
Floral Bearers
Daughters of Varick of Jones Memorial
A Service of Victory
Celebrating the Life of
Mr. Benjamin James “Foxie” Evans
October 26, 1941
June 13, 2014
Treasured Caregivers
Ms. Jocelyn G. Evans
Dr. Peggy Toliver Dingle, Columbia, SC
Angela Fullard-Cole, Columbia, SC
Doretha Ridley, Atlanta, GA
Queen Ester James, Columbia, SC
Cynthia Tookes, Atlanta, GA
Special Thanks
Pauline Udanka, Atlanta, GA
Acknowledgements
We, the family of Mr. Benjamin James Foxie Evans, wish to thank each of you for your visits, cards, food, and especially
your prayers. Every acts of kindness lifted our spirit during this time of bereavement.
A Mansion of Heaven
This world, however beautiful, was never meant to be
The place that we would call our home for all eternity.
And though we would not choose to leave, a loving God knows best,
And in His time, He lifts us to a place of peace and rest.
For He has built a mansion where His children will abide.
Free from pain and sorrow, forever at His side.
And though there may be many things that we cannot explain,
We can be sure it breaks His heart to see His children’s pain.
In loving arms, He bears us to a quiet place apart
Where he mends the wounded spirit and heals the broken heart,
And though these ones we love so much have left our present sight
And passed into a better world of majesty and light,
Someday we’ll be together in our Father’s home above
Where we’ll thank Him for His mercy and praise Him for His love.
Services Entrusted To:
Friday, June 20, 2014
Eleven O’clock in the Morning
Jones Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
2400 Barhamville Road
Columbia, South Carolina
Reverend James R. Williams, Sr.
-Pastor-
Reflections of the Life
Tribute
of
Mr. Benjamin “Foxie” Evans
Mr. Benjamin James Foxy Evans was born October 26, 1941 in Augusta, Georgia. He was the third of four
children born to the late John H. and Alice Moore Evans. He departed this earthly life on Friday, June 13, 2014
at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He attended Steed Street Elementary School and Silas K. Floyd Elementary School in Augusta, Georgia, before
the family moved to Columbia, South Carolina during the Summer of 1950. He attended Carver Elementary
School and graduated from C. A. Johnson High School in 1959.
Mr. Evans accepted Christ at an early age. He was baptized and was an active member of First Nazareth
Baptist Church of Columbia, South Carolina, during the tenure of Reverend William McKinley Bowman. He
was united in Holy Matrimony on April 26, 1963 to Yvonne Grace Greene by the late Reverend G. D. McIvey
of Jones Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, at the home of her grandparents, the late Herman V. and Mary C.
Greene.
Foxie was an exceptional swimmer, and today his name is honored on the Wall of Champions at Drew Park
Wellness Center.
Mr. Evans enlisted into the United States Navy in 1959. His tour of duty included the following
ships/submarines: The USS Nerrus, The USS Rashur, the USS Andrew Jackson, the USS Francis Scott Key,
and several others. He served honorably in Vietnam and Cambodia. During his service career, he received
many honors and awards. He retired from the Navy in 1983 as Master Chief Petty Officer (COB). He began a
new career as a Mail Handler at the U. S. Post Office in Columbia, South Carolina, and served as treasurer of
the Postal Union. While working at the Post Office, he was very creative, innovative, and instrumental in
improving the daily operations of the Post Office. He retired from the Post Office in 1998 due to illness. He
was active in the community. He coached the Meadowlake Pop Warner Football Team. He was a member of
the Monday Morning Bowling Team, and a member of the Winners Club that served our community in several
outreach programs; one of which was providing food baskets to the less fortunate during the holiday seasons.
Mr. Evans was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Joan Lewis, of Columbia, South Carolina.
Mr. Benjamin James Foxie Evans leaves to cherish his precious
memory: his loving wife of 51 years, Yvonne Grace Green Evans;
one son, Jonathan Vincent Evans; one daughter, Jocelyn Genice
Evans, of Columbia, South Carolina; two sisters, Jeanette
(Reverend John) Williams and Doris (Wilbur) Rumph, both of
Columbia, South Carolina; two sisters-in-law, Jacqueline R.
Patterson, of Oceanside, California and Marcia Greene, of New
York, New York; four brothers-in-law, Bryan Jacques, Rodney
Greene, Barry Greene, and Herman Greene, all of New York, New
York; five grandchildren, Kendrick (Rateisha) Hammond, Jonathan
Evans, II, Wyatt, Whitney, and Andrena Evans; four great-greatgrandchildren, Kenley, Bryson, and Kyan Hammond and Mary
Brown; loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other loving
relatives and caring friends, all of whom will miss him dearly.
The World Famous Black Submariner Senior Chief Storekeeper Benjamin Evans, SKCS (SS)
Hey Senior Chief,
I know it’s been a long time, but you don’t forget the
people who make a difference in your life. You were definitely
one of those who made a difference in mine. We were all lost
on the Glenard P. Lipscomb, meaning Black Submariners. We
had no rank and therefore no leadership. I arrived there a young
Black non-qual Radioman with the racists
chomping at the bit to get at me. They did, and I responded
aggressively like a kid from Brooklyn, NY would, and it cost
me a promotion.
Then the Navy made a decision to send this Black Senior
Chief to the Boat. Immediately I saw that no one messed with
him and from his Dolphins & Patrol Pin, I knew he had been
around.
Of course I immediately had to meet him because my Father had been a Senior Chief in the Submarine Service. That
meeting changed my way of dealing with adversity to this very day.
You told me to be the Best at my job, because I had to know it much better than the others. So I made sure I
became the best Radioman and then people stopped messing with me and starting respecting me. I benefited from your
constant council on and off the Boat and when I finally received my Dolphins, I soon transferred to test my new
professional skills on another Submarine, Tinosa. Let me just say that armed with what you taught me about dealing with
unfavorable conditions, I soon became a Leader on that Boat and passed on your teaching to those in desperate need of it.
After that I knew I had to conquer the outside world as well. So after 6 years of service, I left the Navy Submarine
Service for civilian life.
With my Training, both technical and yours, I quickly found work in the Satellite Industry. An Industry I am still
working in 25 years later. Currently, I maintain the equipment for Showtime Networks (on Cable) in Hauppauge, NY
making sure their Channels reach all parts of the globe. It’s funny, because now at 47 years old, I’m the Wise man people
come to when they have problems. And I’m still telling them the same things you told me in the small SK Shack on the
Boat deep under the ocean!
I’m so glad to be back in touch with you, courtesy of your Daughter who I found & then passed me onto you. I
never Thanked you for the Best Training I ever received in or out of the Navy! So with this letter, that is what I’m
attempting to do. I know that you’ve probable been there for others, and I’m sure that I wasn’t the first or the last, but I
am sincerely appreciative of the time you set aside just for me.
Please stay in touch and I will do the same Senior Chief. Also, give my regards to your Wife & Children. I still
remember how you would talk about them to me. Oh, by the way, I have a Daughter, Imaani, who is a Senior in College
now and who has also benefited from the things I learned from you! If it didn’t work, I wouldn’t still be spreading the
word of Senior Chief!
Respectfully Yours,
Gary Vaughan Smith aka “Smitty”
October 2009
“I married Yvonne for her cooking”
Memories
Order of Service
Musical Prelude …………………………………………………..……… Mrs. Shawn Robinson
Processional……………………………………...…………………………… Clergy and Family
Final Glance by Family ………………………………….……………………. Funeral Directors
Closing of Casket Bier………….…………. Ms. Jocelyn G. Evans, Daughter/Caregiver Extraordinaire
Hymn of Praise ………..…………………..……………. “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” … No. 80
Old Testament – Psalm 27……………………………………….... Reverend Robbie McKesson
Pastor, Old Mt. Zion A.M.E. Zion Church, Kingstree, SC
New Testament – I Peer 1: 17-25………………………………………… Pastor Waymond Bell
New Beulah Church, Columbia, SC
Prayer ………………………………….…….…………… Mr. Kendrick L. Hammond, Grandson
Solo ……………………… “I Won’t Complain” ………………………… Mrs. Rochelle Kelly
Remarks and Tributes… (2 minutes, Please) …………………………… Ms. Angela Fullard Cole
Mr. James Allan Baker
Mr. Willis Wise
Mr. Delano “Domino” Boulware
Mr. Robert Bradley
Mr. McArthur Weeks
Mr. James Kelly
Ms. Queen Ester James
Mr. James Bellinger
Family Tributes……………………………………………………..………. Mr. Anthony Lewis
Ms. Angela L. Permenter
Mr. Carl Lewis
Selection ……………………………………………………………….……………. “It Is Well”
Words of Comfort…………………………..………………….Reverend James R. Williams, Sr.
Recessional…………………………………………...…………… “Let The Church Say Amen”
Postlude
Committal, Benediction and Interment
Fort Jackson National Cemetery
4170 Percival Road
Columbia, South Carolina
Memories
Memories