Ms. Angelisa S. Evans

Obituary Angelisa Stewart Evans Angelisa Stewart Evans was born in Staunton, Virginia, on December 23, 1922, to the late Signora Gearings Steward and Essex Stuart two God-fearing Christians who raised their children to be the same. Some of her happiest memories were the 14 years she spent growing up in Staunton, where she lived in a large house, built by her father. This house was the first African American house in Staunton with indoor bathrooms. Her father Essex was a Chef at Staunton, Virginia, Military Academy and her mother, a housewife, who, along with raising seven children also took in ironing. Signora and Essex summers were spent being chef and assistant chef at Jewish summer retreats in the northeast. She had two best friends, Myrtle, who lived next-door and Bernice who lived two houses down. Angelisa and Myrtle after being forced to come inside for the evening would then go to the side windows and talk until forced to go to bed planning and dreaming of sharing their lives, and future together. The family had their own chickens, pigs, smokehouse, and vegetable gardens, which required her and her siblings to feed the pigs and chickens and tending the garden prior to going to school each morning. Several times a year Signora and Essex held cookouts in their very large driveway for everyone in their community and sent them home with food to last days, if not weeks, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, Essex passed from a heart attack in his early 40’s and the family home was lost after which some of the children were sent to live with friends or relatives. Angelisa came to Washington, DC to finish her education and lived with close friends of her parents. She graduated from Garnet Patterson Middle School, and Cardozo High School. During World War II she was initially hired and worked in the War Department where she met best friends, Judy Brown and Connie Bennett, whose daughter Charlyn (aka Imani) became Angelisa’s only godchild. Also, during this time, Angelisa worked evenings as a waitress at a very well-known restaurant. After becoming the consistently highest tipped waitress, the owner told her that she had too much going on for her to stay in that job. In response she took tests to gain entrance to the government. Angelisa moved up by applying and being accepted and hired at the National Security Agency (NSA) as an analyst with a top-secret clearance. She steadily climbed in GS grades attaining a good grade for those times and environment which was quite difficult for a black woman. She was never able to speak of what she did and could only say her position was that of an analyst. Though we tried, we could never get any more information about her job. The family was struck by tragedy during World War II and the Korean War. The three remaining sons were all drafted. Essex Jr. was killed; Leroy sustained a severe head trauma which necessitated his having a steel plate in his head for the rest of his life and Nathaniel came home safely. Angelisa’s home was always filled with music, laughter, friends, good food and merriment. All holidays were celebrated and mostly every Thanksgiving and Christmas the entire family gather at her home. Being a good mother was paramount to Angelisa’s life. Although she did not tell them what to think, she always encouraged her girls to speak their minds (politely). She strongly encouraged education, to value financial independence, instilled confidence, and self-assurance to be who they wanted to become and to be empathetic, kind and fiercely, fiercely independent. She reached and surpassed her goals. Thank you, mom, for helping to make us who we are. We will love you and miss you forever. Angelisa Stewart Evans was preceded in death by her husband Julios Evans, her two sisters Ellen Stewart and Beulah Stewart Paschall (Willie), and her brothers, Essex Jr., Isaac, Leroy, Nathaniel and one nephew, Leroy Stewart. She leaves to mourn her two daughters, Peggy V. Haynes, and Elona Anita Evans-McNeill, her three nieces Mary Steward Young (Jonathan), Natalie Stewart, Elaine Stewart, 1 godchild Imani Bennett (deceased), and three great godchildren, Radiah Colter (Terrance), Dalili, Jelani Woodruff and two extremely dear, loving, and dedicated friends, Joann Fowler (Melvin), and Nedra Jones.

Ms. Angelisa S. Evans

December 23, 1922 - September 6, 2023

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Ms. Angelisa S. Evans

December 23, 1922 - September 6, 2023

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

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Grief & Healing

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