Eva Evans, Phd (Lansing)

Dr. Eva L. Evans passed away Monday, July 20, 2020 in Dayton, Ohio. Age 85 years. She was the daughter of Exzelma Lowe (Arthur) Allmon and William Henry Butler and was born January 14, 1935 in Memphis, Tennessee. Eva grew up in Detroit, Michigan. As an only child, she developed a strong sense of who she was and what she wanted out of life. Dr. Evans attended Detroit’s public schools and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University and both Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Michigan State University.

In her home community of Lansing and throughout Michigan, Dr. Evans has broken barriers and accomplished many firsts, including service as the first female deputy superintendent of the Lansing School District, campaign chairman and chairman of the Tri-County United Way, Vice Chairman of the Lansing Board of Water and Light, Chairman of the Lansing Community College Foundation, trustee of the Michigan State University Board of the College of Education, and member of Sparrow Hospital Women’s Board of Managers. In addition, she was appointed by the state governor to serve on the Michigan Council for the Humanities and was Chairman of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights.

Dr. Evans served in a number of administrative positions in the Lansing School District, from director of elementary education, to deputy superintendent of schools in charge of instruction. As a leader in the school system, she developed and implemented innovative programs, such as schools of choice and a district-wide talent fair for students and staff. She connected the school district with Lansing Community College and Michigan State University for the 2+2+2 Program, which channels minority students into Michigan State University’s College of Engineering. Along with her focus on math and science, Evans created the “Be a Star” performing arts program. These innovative programs and productive partnerships have endured over the years, benefiting countless individuals and shaping practice and policy in education, health care, social services and beyond.

The impact of Dr. Evans’ dedication, efforts and talent has also been experienced throughout the world. She served Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in a variety of influential and key roles, including serving as the Great Lakes Region 16th Regional Director and in the highest position in the Sorority, as the 24th International President from 1994–1998. She established the theme, “Building the Future: The Alpha Kappa Alpha Strategy: Making the Net Work.” In implementing this vision, she networked with major entities in the United States including Elizabeth Dole of the American Red Cross and the Pillsbury Corporation for a Partnership In Mathematics and Science (PIMS), which became her administration’s signature program. She also developed a partnership with the American Red Cross to educate people about HIV/AIDS and to increase the number of African Americans on the bone marrow registry. She traveled from coast to coast and all points in between speaking about her beloved, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and her home chapter, Delta Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Dr. Evans was interviewed by The History Makers, the Nation’s Largest African American Video Oral History Collection, as part of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Centennial Boulé 2008 celebration. She was also among the first group of individuals profiled on The Black Success Network, a high tech Michigan-based startup that shares stories of African Americans who are making outstanding contributions in their workplace and communities across all disciplines and professions. As an educational icon and an accomplished humanitarian, Dr. Eva L. Evans dedicated her career to developing best practices for providing opportunities to underserved populations.

Among her many honors, Evans received the YWCA’s Diana Award for Excellence in Education, the Lansing Chamber of Commerce ATHENA Leadership Award, the NAACP’s Educator of the Year Award, the Crystal Apple Award for Education from Michigan State University and the Applause Award from the Lansing Center for the Arts. In 2012, the Capital Area United Way awarded Evans with its highest honor, the Walter A. Campbell Award, for her many years of active, valuable service. She served as President of Lansing Woman’s Club, an organization founded in 1874 to study Art & Literature, Science, History and Education. Evans was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2005. Dr. Evans was the 2017-2018 Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Inner Circle board president, a volunteer organization that donates time to the arts in mid-Michigan. In 2018, the Lansing School District named a school in her honor, The Dr. Eva L. Evans Welcome Center, designed to help educate, strengthen and unify the community it serves.

Continuing her life of service, Dr. Evans was a Charter member the Lansing/East Lansing Chapter, The Links, Incorporated. She loved singing with The Earl Nelson Singers Company in Lansing, one of her favorite organizations. Dr. Evans’ life and legacy of service were grounded by her faith in God. She served humbly and enthusiastically in several capacities at Trinity AME Church in Lansing. Most recently chair of the Trinity A.M.E Church 150th Anniversary Souvenir Program Book. Organizations that were blessed to have her as a member reaped the benefit of having her pour her heart out for the good.

Eva loved to entertain and host dinner parties. Those who were fortunate, dined on foods that ranged from French cuisine to chitlins’ from North Carolina. She liked beautiful fashions and dressed exquisitely. Shopping was her favorite pastime activity along with watching British films and YouTube which became her go to place for all types of music. She traveled extensively, including Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil, China, The United Arab Emirates and other foreign nations. No matter where she traveled, “The Big L” (as she called Lansing), was always just a thought away.

Loved ones left to honor her legacy and cherish her memory are beloved goddaughter, Alma Ivey (Lawrence) Clarke; their daughter, Brittany Clarke (Thomas)Fennell, and baby, Alexis Jillian Fennell; uncles, John (Doris) Trammel, Earl Trammel, Ernest Trammel, and David Trammel; cousins, Edward (Dorothy) Lowe and Otis Sanders; longtime friends, Dr. Gloria Stephens Smith and Mrs. Ernestine Williams; and other dear family members and many, many friends will also miss her.

Eva was proceeded in death by her parents Exzelma Lowe (Arthur) Allmon and William Henry Butler.