Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Corrine Brown

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of original Montford Point Marine Sgt. Earl Evans, Jr., USMC.

I was honored to host Mr. Evans here in the Capitol the day the House voted on the Congressional Gold Medal for the Montford Point Marines. I was lucky enough to have lunch with him that day and was able to listen to how proud he was to have served his nation. A picture from that day sits on my desk right now. He was in the House gallery when the final vote of 415 0 was completed and all the Members of this body turned to give him and other Montford Point Marines a standing ovation.

Deacon Earl Evans, Jr., son of the late Earl J. Evans and Delcie Alston Ogburn, was born on September 25, 1929, in Greensboro, North Carolina. He departed this life on February 14, 2012.

Earl received his formal education in the Greensboro, North Carolina, public school system. Because of his love for the military, he joined the United States Marine Corps in September 1946. During his years of active service, he attained the rank of Sergeant and deployed to places such as Guam and Korea. Earl's plans as a career Marine ended in 1953 due to injuries sustained while in combat. He received numerous awards and citations including the Purple Heart Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korea Service Medal with one Silver Star, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Award, United Nations Service Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He retired from the Marine Corps on July 8, 1953, with an Honorable Discharge.

Upon being discharged from military service and returning home, he met and married the love of his life Madie Louise Vines of Greensboro, North Carolina. This union was blessed with two daughters, Ramona and Frenita.

Earl dedicated over 34 years of Federal Service which included seven years as a Special Policeman for the District Government and 25 years with the Veterans' Benefits Office in Washington, DC, from which he retired.

Earl was a fervent believer in Christ. He joined Bethesda Baptist Church on October 26, 1958, and served in the following ministries: Male Chorus, Sunday School, Williams Memorial Bible Class, Men's Ministry, Leader of Prayer Group 22, Baptist Training Union, Vacation Bible School, Club 66, the Old Timer's Quartet and numerous activities. He was ordained as a Deacon under the late Pastor, Reverend John D. Bussey.

Earl truly loved life and possessed many talents. He was a creative and intellectual person. He memorized Bible verses and always found things to invent around the house. His other gifts included sewing, cooking, singing, composing music, playing instruments, writing many poems and speeches, often at the request of others. He was an avid fisherman and gardener.

He always stayed involved in one activity or another. Earl volunteered locally at his neighborhood Ardmore Village Association as a Block Captain. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, H Chapter 7 of Bowie, Maryland, and the Montford Point Marine Association, Chapter 6 of Washington, DC.

Earl leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted wife, Madie; two daughters, Ramona Reed-Sellman of Capital Heights, Maryland, Frenita (Clarence) Hope of Silver Spring, Maryland; nine grand-children and twelve great-grandchildren. Also, he leaves behind, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Lavalle and Hugo Hendricks of Palm Coast, Florida, and Reverend Chester (Beverly) Burke, Jr., and a host of other relatives and friends.