SLS 23RS-2175 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 130
BY SENATOR BOUDREAUX
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences on the death of George P. Evans.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of George P. Evans.
4 WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
5 has learned that on May 15, 2023, the Honorable George Patrick Evans, a giant among men
6 with the heart of a lamb, made his way home to his heavenly father; and
7 WHEREAS, George Evans was born in Selma, Alabama, on August 16, 1944, the
8 eldest of two sons born to Willie George and Lucy Evans; and
9 WHEREAS, affectionately known as "Georgie P" by his schoolmates and childhood
10 friends, he accepted Christ into his heart and life at an early age and it was a guiding force
11 igniting his passion for his family, friends, and the city of Selma; and
12 WHEREAS, George attended kindergarten at Reformed Presbyterian Church and
13 was educated in Selma city schools where he attended Payne Elementary School and was
14 a 1962 graduate of R.B. Hudson High School; and
15 WHEREAS, George attended college at St. Mary's of The Plains in Dodge City,
16 Kansas, on a football scholarship, playing the position of wide receiver all four years and,
17 always a stellar athlete, he was also a member of the track team and an avid fan of
18 basketball; and
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1 WHEREAS, while visiting friends in Wichita, Kansas, he was introduced to the love
2 of his life, Jeannie Wooten, a beautiful, young nursing student, and on August 22, 1966, the
3 two were wed in St. Paul's A.M.E. Church, the same church where the two had met; and
4 WHEREAS, after receiving a call from his hometown saying there was a need for
5 a teacher, the newlywed couple set off to make their life in Selma, Alabama, and George
6 taught physical education and coached basketball, football, and baseball at Tipton Middle
7 School; and
8 WHEREAS, George's career in education would encompass years of leadership
9 positions in the Dallas County School System, advancing through the ranks as principal,
10 Federal Programs Director, Special Education Coordinator, and ultimately, the first
11 African American to hold the position of Superintendent of Dallas County Schools; and
12 WHEREAS, George's background in athletics provided the platform he needed to
13 develop an extension to the county sports program for students and a countywide field day
14 became a highly anticipated annual event; and
15 WHEREAS, George organized a Special Olympics field day which also became an
16 annual event recognizing athletic efforts for a community of students close to his heart and
17 he continued the program after his retirement from the Dallas County School System,
18 garnering support and donations from city and county donors; and
19 WHEREAS, a man with a servant's heart, George enjoyed membership in many
20 service and political organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, 100 Black Men of
21 Selma, the Chesterfield Club, Twelve High Club, the Exchange Club, the Alabama
22 Conference of Black Mayors, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors; and
23 WHEREAS, his involvement in sports and his love for basketball provided many
24 opportunities that nourished his athletic side; George was a member of the Southwestern
25 Athletic Conference (SWAC) for over thirty-five years and a member of the Southeastern
26 Conference (SEC) for over thirty years; he officiated in the National Collegiate Athletic
27 Association (NCAA) March Madness Men's Tournament for twelve years, including one
28 season where he had the opportunity to officiate an "Elite Eight" game; George served on
29 the Bryant Jordan Athletic Program Scholarship Board, was inducted into the Alabama High
30 School Athletic Association's Hall of Fame, and in 2015, he was honored by an induction
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1 into the SWAC Hall of Fame; and
2 WHEREAS, as fond as George was of spending time on the basketball courts of
3 many secondary and collegiate institutions in Alabama and across the country, he was
4 equally fond of fairways and putting greens and, when possible, on Wednesdays and
5 Sundays, he met with lifelong friends for eighteen holes of golf; he instilled his passion for
6 golf in his sons and every year on Father's Day he, along with his sons, Patrick, Duane, and
7 Byron, his brother and younger cousins, would head out to Ocumulgee Golf Course for trash
8 talking and bragging rights; and
9 WHEREAS, following his retirement from a productive forty-year educational
10 career, George was selected by the Alabama State Department of Education as Chief
11 Academic Officer to offer support and training to schools across the state who were
12 identified as underachieving; and
13 WHEREAS, during this busy and challenging time, George continued to support and
14 offer service to his community and state, serving as the first African American President of
15 the Selma City Council and served the council for eight years, the Superintendent of Selma
16 Water Works, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Alabama Department of Archives
17 and History, a member of the Executive Committee of the Alabama League of
18 Municipalities, a board member of the Walker-Johnson YMCA, a member of Leadership
19 Selma, and an Elder of the Reformed Presbyterian Church; and
20 WHEREAS, George felt called to serve the community he loved by expanding his
21 position in leadership from City Council President to Mayor of Selma where he served for
22 two terms working for the betterment and prosperity of all of Selma's citizens; and
23 WHEREAS, always multitasking and playing multiple roles, George thoroughly
24 enjoyed his role as Granddaddy to his seven grandchildren; he never missed a basketball
25 game, church performance, school function, birthday party, dance recital, or graduation; and
26 WHEREAS, George leaves to mourn his passing, his wife of almost fifty-seven
27 years, Jeannie; sons, Patrick, Duane, and Byron; grandchildren, Tremaine, Kelly, Patrick
28 Junior (PJ), Paxson George, Erin, Pailee, Pilar, and Eden; special daughters, Kateri,
29 Stephanie, Evelyn, and Chimeria; and a multitude of cousins and friends.
30 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
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1 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of the Honorable
2 George P. Evans.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
4 Jeannie Wooten Evans.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Kathy Liberty.
DIGEST
SR 130 Original 2023 Regular Session Boudreaux
Expresses condolences on the death of George P. Evans.
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