Mrs. Eva E. Shanks

2 Live-streaming Platforms - starts 10:55am for 11:00am service Church Website: mpbcdc.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtplbaptchurch Eva Essie Mae Shanks (née Jones) was born the tenth out of twelve children to the late Alberta Jones (née Harris) and Robert Jones, Jr. in Washington, DC on January 11, 1943. She departed this Earth on May 9, 2024, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, DC surrounded by her children and granddaughter. Eva was a proud fourth generation Washingtonian and grew up in Northwest, Washington, DC with her eleven siblings. She was educated in the District of Columbia Public School System attending Lucretia Mott Elementary, Benjamin Banneker Jr. High and Theodore Roosevelt Sr. High Schools. Growing up, Eva always dreamed of being a mother. She loved being with her siblings and parents from whom she learned how to cook and bake. Although she came from a musical family, Eva’s God given talents would manifest later in life with her tactical ability that enabled her to lead, organize and make a way through any situation. Losing her dad at the age of nine and her mother at the age of fifteen, Eva and her siblings rallied together to support one another. This sibling bond lasted throughout their lives and can be seen throughout future generations. As a young woman, Eva enjoyed going to concerts, cabarets, and beaches with her family and friends. She became known for being extremely stylish. She wore epic outfits that her nieces still reminisce about 50 years later. Eva enjoyed a special relationship with her sisters, Doris and Patricia. She would make desserts for family events that they would host. The three of them enjoyed playing cards together and throwing Bid Whist parties. Everyone knew that her Sundays were always reserved to spend with Doris. Eva entered the workforce at the age of sixteen and worked a variety of jobs until she landed at The Hecht Company Warehouse (Hecht’s). Her strong work ethic enabled her to rise through the ranks and become a Supervisor in the Bedding Department. She was instrumental in training her team, finetuning processes, brainstormed with management, and assisted in exceeding departmental goals. She retired after 34 years of service and made many lifelong friends that saw her through many milestones. In 1966, while working at Hecht’s, Eva met her future husband Daniel Shanks, Sr. and gained a son; Daniel Shanks, Jr. Through this union they had five children: Eric, Garnett (Joe), Benjamin, Samuel and Dannita. Eva and Dan loved their children and sacrificed everything to ensure that they had the best lives possible. After working long hours, Eva would come home and cook hardy meals, always having enough to share. She was known for her superior cooking and baking abilities. She baked cakes for school parties and bake sales. She actively attended PTA meetings and school functions with Dan; as education was important in their household. They purchased multiple sets of encyclopedias that their children and their friends would use for school projects and general knowledge. If their kids needed any additional help with schoolwork, she would learn the material herself or find someone who could tutor them. Through these selfless actions and more, Eva became a “mother” to many. Throughout their union, their home was open to numerous family members and friends. Due to life’s circumstances, they permanently raised four of her sister Patricia’s grandchildren; Samuel Anderson, Crystal, William, and Benjamin Weaver, as their own, ensuring they had every opportunity to excel in life. Eva loved being in the position to support their entire family. She was a fierce warrior for her family, advocating for their needs and figuring out how to “make it work” in every situation. In 1997, Eva and Dan bought their first house together, fulfilling their dream of homeownership. After becoming a widow in 2000, Eva continued maintaining their home and legacy. Although they tested her patience, she loved and cared for her children equally; individually addressing their unique needs and personalities. She was their mother, confidant and friend with a welcoming shoulder to lean on. As adults, she spent hours on the phone daily with her kids. Ben would talk to her about any and everything; but sometimes she just wanted to be heard and he wasn’t to respond. Sam would drive her crazy with his untraditional takes on life, yet she was willing to engage with her sassy authority. Dannita would be her mutual safe space to share everything; even silly inside jokes. Joe would get the softer side of her and was jokingly called her favorite by the others. Through Eric’s struggles, she motivated him to have a better quality of life by sharing her life experiences and teaching him how to raise his own family. Her niece, Tanya, effortlessly filled so many hats for Eva - Niece/Daughter/Sister/Friend/Advocate. Eva and Tanya could depend on one another for everything. Eva absolutely loved being a grandmother. Her grandchildren were her world! She would pour her entire being into them to ensure that they were a step ahead. She loved teaching them reading, writing, arithmetic, time, state capitals, geography, baking, cooking, faith and how to count money. She supported their extracurricular activities - cheering, dance, band, football, basketball: Eva would make her way “hook or crook” to see her grandkids’ performances. She loved rewarding and supporting her grandkids for all their accomplishments and had little gadgets waiting for them at her house. Her youngest great-grandson, Jalen, always tickled her with his huge personality. She embraced being a mother-in-law and viewed her children’s spouses as her children. She loved spending time with her daughters-in-law Nicole, Diedre, Patricia and Yvonne and her son-in-law, Bruce. Their families became intertwined with her family, and it was normal to see the Dyson/Cole, the Davis and the Hawkins families at events hosted by Eva and vice versa. Eva first learned about Christianity in her youth while attending the family’s church, Vermont Avenue Baptist Church. Eva loved God, had unshakeable faith and was a firm believer in the power of prayer. In 1999, she joined Mount Pleasant Baptist Church where she was an active member. Before the pandemic, she used to enjoy attending service with her son, Eric. She loved contributing to their clothing ministry and paying her tithes. She participated in Senior Bible Study and developed an especially close relationship with the ladies that she sat with at her table. Lana, Irene, Linda, Hazel, Annie, Dorothy and Susan held a special place in her heart and became a big part of her life. They would uplift one another throughout their friendship. Eva had a pure heart. Her acts of charity were immense. She would shop for sales, donating her purchases to the church and individuals. She spearheaded efforts to feed and provide essentials for the homeless that included an extra financial token. She privately dropped off groceries and bus tokens to family members in need. She often rallied the family together to ensure members had a proper burial. Even through her illnesses, Eva was always a beacon of light in the darkest hours for her loved ones. Eva strongly believed in her civic duty. She voted in every election and instilled the importance of voting into her children. Anyone that lived in her house and was of age, knew they had to vote on election day. Eva always said that you have to stand up to be counted. She would call and write letters to her elected officials to advocate for different issues. She loved to “CC” others in her letters because she wanted the recipient to know that she was serious. Eva’s favorite past times were playing cards, word games, football pools, shopping and going to the grocery store. She was well known at her local Giant where she used to go at least five times a week and do her “exercising.” Bid Whist was her favorite card game following closely behind Tonk. She absolutely loved playing Tonk for hours with Rene’ while listening to her favorite songs. She was fond of words and loved playing Scrabble and watching game shows. As she embraced technology, she would play word games like Wordle, Waffle, etc. and would share her results with her children, grandchildren and bonus children. As Eva was known for her huge selfless heart, frugality, and cooking/baking, she was also known for her incredible sassiness, authenticity, quick wit and sense of humor. She was honest to a fault which led to many hurt feelings but also warm, compassionate and a great confidant. She would come up with epic sayings that would cut, but also have people laughing for years such as “THERE’S SOMETHING NOT CLEAN IN THIS MILK.” She had the most sensitive ears and nose. She could hear everything and hated the smell of any fragrances except those of Taylored Allure. She loved maintaining order with everyone and everything but had a soft spot and gave special passes to the antics of her nephews, Antonio and Wade. She was the true definition of a Matriarch. She led the family and continued long-held traditions with a powerful iron fist and a soft heart. She loved giving and helping with surprise parties and dinners and enjoyed annual family vacations to Virginia Beach and “The Country”. She absolutely enjoyed cooking and hosting huge holiday dinners/cookouts that would easily feed over 50 people. Her Mac-n-cheese was her signature dish, her stuffing and gravy were one of a kind, and her cakes, bread pudding, and sweet potato pie was amongst her most sought after baked desserts. Only a few were privileged to work alongside her to learn these recipes. She was the epitome of what a wife and mother/matriarch should be. One of the most notable things about Eva is that she grew up feeling as though she just couldn’t get “it.” However, she had the fortitude to teach herself how to read and push hard to get everything that she had acquired. She persevered and became the smartest person in most rooms without knowing it. Eva represented hope through her fierce resiliency, strength, devotion and love. Her childhood dream of being a mother was more than just actualized, she hit it out of the ballpark! Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Alberta and Robert Jones, Jr.; her husband, Daniel Shanks, Sr.; nine brothers; Robert III, George, Charles, Harold, Ernest, Alfred, Phillip, James and Theodore Jones; and, two sisters; Doris Jones and Patricia Weaver. She leaves to cherish her memories: Her children, Daniel Shanks, Jr., Eric Shanks, Garnett Shanks (Diedre), Benjamin Shanks (Nicole), Samuel E. Shanks, Dannita Dyson (Bruce II), Samuel Anderson (Tarnikia), Crystal Weaver, William Weaver, and Benjamin Weaver (Victoria); twelve grandchildren, Dana (Joseph), Danielle, Dominique, Erica, Jennifer, Jacqueline, Derrick, Taylor, Jasmine, Nathan, Brooke and Tre; six great-grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, special niece, Tanya Jones, special nephew, Rene Dessin, Brother-in-law, Samuel G. Shanks (Mary); Sister-in-Law/Best Friend; Juliet Crawford, Sisters-inLaw Sandra Jones and Juliet Shanks; her Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Bible Study Girlfriends, her Hecht’s friends, her Fourth Street kids, Regina McFadden, her bonus children and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other relatives.

Mrs. Eva E. Shanks

January 11, 1943 - May 9, 2024

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Mrs. Eva E. Shanks

January 11, 1943 - May 9, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Resources

Grief & Healing

Obituaries

About Us

Contact Information