81R15070 JGH-D
By: Deshotel H.R. No. 1054
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close when Amos James Evans of Port Arthur died on February 12,
2009, at the age of 86; and
WHEREAS, Amos Evans was born in Louisiana on May 11, 1922, to
Charlie and Florence Evans; he was a student at Acadian Parish
Training School, where he participated in the band, the boxing
team, and the basketball team, and he later attended LaSalle
Business Correspondence Institute; answering his nation's call to
duty, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II; and
WHEREAS, After the war, Mr. Evans settled in Port Arthur and
went to work as an operator at the Gulf Oil refinery; he retired
after 37 years of service with the company; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his life, Mr. Evans was a champion for
civil rights, social justice, and equal opportunity in his
community; the youth director of the local chapter of the NAACP, he
served on its membership committee and developed a Saturday reading
program for children at the chapter headquarters; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Evans was also active in his community as
president of the PTA and as a member of the Valero Community
Advisory Panel and the Port Arthur Industry and Community Leaders
Advisory Group; moreover, he served on the boards of the YMCA and
the Port Arthur Housing Authority; and
WHEREAS, A man of strong religious faith, he was a member of
St. Paul United Methodist Church for 68 years and served his
congregation as a lay leader, a trustee, president of the choir, and
Sunday school superintendent and teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Evans received numerous accolades through the
years, including the Congressional Community Award, the American
Institute for Public Service Jefferson Award, the Unsung Hero
Award, and an entry in Who's Who Among Black Americans; he was also
recognized by such organizations as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the
Golden Triangle Coalition of Black Democrats, and the Golden Gate
Social and Civic Club, among many others; and
WHEREAS, This caring and compassionate gentleman dedicated
himself to serving others and to upholding the principles of
equality and justice in which he believed, and he leaves behind an
inspiring legacy of achievement that his loved ones can remember
with pride; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Amos James Evans and
extend sincere condolences to the members of his family: to his
wife, Carolyn Simon Evans; to his daughter, Winnifred Evans-Barker;
to his sons, Karim Abdullah and his wife, Hanneefah, Muhammad
Abdullah and his wife, Helena, and Wendell Evans; to his
granddaughters, Nadria Turner, Yhana Comeaux, Dichel Gant, Karima
Rice, Rhonda Thomas, Hana Abdullah, Halimah Price, Donna Powell,
and Iona Eaglin; to his grandsons, Morris Abdullah, Musemah Rashad
Abdullah, Adonis Evans, Wesley Evans, and Lawrence Augustine; to
his sister-in-law, Phyllis Morris, and her husband, William; to his
sister, Nettie Wycoff Evans; to his brother, George Evans, and his
wife, Pearline; to his nephew, Brian Harrison; to his 20
great-grandchildren; and to his other relatives and many friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Amos James
Evans.