WILLIR "EDNA" VERMILLION EVANS

OCTOBER 19, 1893 - NOVEMBER 2, 1992

Willie "Edna" Vermillion Evans was born October 19, 1893, in Altoga, Collin County Texas, to John Brady Vermillion (Pappy) and Louisa Elizabeth Watkins, (Mamie). Edna was born their third child of eight children. She had five sisters and two brothers. A large Vermillion Family Reunion was held for many years on July 4th week-end at Altoga Baptist Church, Altoga, Tx. Lots of good food, camping on the grounds, church services on Sunday, baseball games, pitching horse shoes or washers, jump the rope games, good fellowship, etc was shared. The Evans family had enough players to have their own baseball team to play against their Vermillion cousins. Edna married William "Elbert" Evans in 1912. Edna &. Elbert had 12 sons and 2 daughters together. They raised their children in a Christian home. Two of their sons became ministers. Several of the other sons were deacons at their churches. Edna was lovingly called Granny by her grandchildren. She died November 2, 1992, in McKinney, Collin County, Texas in a nursing home shortly after reaching the age of 99. She was buried in Ridgeview Memorial Park next to her husband. Her service was held at Turrentine Jackson Morrow Funeral Home Chapel in Allen, Texas with her son, Dr. Bob Evans, officiating. Another son, Rev C. C. Evans sang beautifully at her service.

Edna originally went to live at a nursing home with her husband a few years before Elbert died in 1971. At that time, a spouse could do that to help care for their loved one. By the time Elbert died, Edna needed to be cared for, herself. . She had lived in a nursing home for over 21 plus years when she passed. away.

A listing of the 14 Evans children is below. Their first grandchild, Herman Glen Evans was born Oct 27, 1935 right between his two youngest uncles, Billy (Oct 19, 1934) and Gene ( Sept 19, 1936). Herman's father was Royse Herman ( Edna's oldest child child b June 16, 1913.). Even though Herman Glen was an only child, he never felt he was. He was age eleven when he moved with his parent from Altoga to Dallas. He would spend summers plus after that on his grandparents farm until he started working as a teenager. There were also frequent family visits with the Evans family. Uncle Bob shared at Herman "Glen's" funeral service how he, Herman, Billy & Gene should have been dubbed the original " Little Rascals" for all the mischief they got into. . He told how they would use his PaPa's calves to be roped in their pretend rodeos They had giant corn cob fights with two sitting in the loft area of the barn, and two below on the ground. Those corn cobs really hurt if you got hit. You felt like you were hit with a bullit. In later years, there was the Evans annual Christmas Party held at Altoga Baptist Church on the Sat night before Christmas. Later years, it was held in Princeton, Texas. Lots of great fellowship and good food. This tradition just recently came to an end due to COVID. Plus all the Evans children have passed except Bob.

Royse Herman b 1913

Paul b 1914

Cecil "Cleo" b 1915

Anna "Louise" b 1917

Plese Vernon b 1918

John Isaac b 1920

Leumuel " Wayne" b 1921

William Elbert, Jr 1923

Troy Lee b 1924

Jack b 1926

Ruby Jo 1929

James Weldon "Bob" 1932

William Alma "Billy" 1934

Gene Woodson 1936

As anyone can tell from this list and birth dates of her 14 children, Edna gave birth to 14 children in a 23 year span of time. . She was age 19 when her first child, Royse, was born. She was barely still age 42 ( turned age 43 in less than a month) when her last child, Gene was born. 23 years is a long time to have 14 babies. One does not have to do their math to figure out she was pregnant the majority of her life from age 19 to 43. She deserves a medal just for that reason alone. With the exception of John Isaac dying before he was one year old, the other 13 children lived to be in their 70s Wayne ( 71) to age 97 (Troy). Bob is still living at age 92. They all lived to be law abiding citizens and christians. Edna was preceded in death by three three sons: infant son , John Isaac, in 1920, Royse in Sept, 1988 and Wayne in April, 1992.

There was a saying regarding the birth order of the Evans children. The two Girls being Louise & Ruby were born Fourth from the Top & Fourth from the Bottom. The two Preacher Boys being Cleo & Bob were born Third from the Top & Third from the Bottom.

Edna's Son, Dr. Bob Evans officiated her service in Oct, 1992. He remarked he never had intentions of doing this for his own mother. However, she outlived all of the ministers she had ask to officiate her service, so here he was. He shared that his mother was really a psychologist, but she did not know it. She did not believe in sparing the rod, and spoiling your child. Her stove shovel worked quite well when needed. Should one of her children say they did not like the meal that she prepared, they were told to just push your plate back. She would add that it will taste good their next meal. She had no picky eaters. Edna also had plenty of love for each of her children.

I had not been an Evans quite a year when I attended Granny Evan's funeral with my husband, Glen. He was called Herman though by the Evan's family. That was the only time I ever saw Glen's Granny. Of course, she was in her casket. I remember her looking a lot like the picture I have posted on this memorial. I was very impressed with the things Uncle Bob shared about her life. I felt as though I knew her when he finished. Glen also shared a lot about his grandmother to me. He was very close to her. Glen died in Aug, 1995, I remember Aunt Edna Mae told me I was still part of the Evans family. She said "Once an Evans, Always an Evans." That was 29 years ago, and I am still an Evans. I appreciated so much how that was so true in the way Edna & Uncle Cleo treated me until they passed. Uncle Troy continued to call me until towards the end of his life. I was kept up to date on the Evans Family. Of course, there was some contact with other Evan's, but mostly like I said. This would say good things about Granny Evans how she raised her children. I wish I could have known her while she was still living.

Judy Robertson Evans # 49706236, Feb 24, 2024