[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 6 (Friday, January 10, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E23]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                IN MEMORY OF MR. BENJAMIN ``BEN'' EVANS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 10, 2020

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and 
solemn remembrance that I rise today to pay tribute to a talented 
tailor, dedicated husband, loving father, and dear friend of 
longstanding--Mr. Benjamin ``Ben'' Evans. Sadly, Ben passed away on 
Thursday, January 2, 2020. His funeral service will be held on 
Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 1:00 pm at New Pleasant Grove Missionary 
Baptist Church located at 795 Maynard Street in Macon, Georgia.
  Benjamin Evans (affectionately known as ``Ben'' to his family, 
friends, and colleagues) was born in Bibb County, Georgia to the late 
Clifford Danielly and Fannie B. Evans. He was born on August 5, 1929 
and was the eldest of two sons.
  He attended Hudson High School in Macon, Georgia and later joined the 
U.S. Army. Ben was a veteran, having retired from the military as a 
Staff Sergeant with 22 years of service. He was always industrious and 
hard-working. He attended Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland 
where he majored in Fashion Design. He loved men's fashion. Having 
learned the art of tailoring, Ben was so skilled that he could design a 
suit without a pattern. Known for being one of the best-dressed men in 
Macon, he loved to design matching outfits for himself and his beloved 
wife, Lillie Ruth. Ben opened an alteration shop, Genesis, and operated 
it in Downtown Macon for many years. He also served as the Business 
Manager and Co-Owner of Gantt's Pre-School and M.A. Evans Academy.
  On June 2, 1982, Ben was joined in Holy Matrimony to the Love of His 
Life, Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans. They married after a long courtship. He 
made a dress from memory for his beloved Lillie Ruth and presented it 
to her as a gift on their first date.
  Ben accepted Christ at an early age where he was a member of 
Friendship Baptist Church in Macon, GA. He later became a member of New 
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he served on the Trustee 
Board.
  Ben cared about his community, and he was always engaged in 
organizations that did positive work. He served dutifully as a member 
of the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans (Life 
Member), Veterans of Foreign Wars, Homosapien Civic & Social Club, 
former member of 100 Black Men of Middle Georgia, Inc., Bibb County 
Democrats (Post Seat Holder), and former member of the Civil Service 
Board of Bibb County. Ben enjoyed sewing and loved to listen to music. 
He had a vast collection of blues and jazz. He loved to attend the 
annual Tom Bonner Picnic and VFW events and cared about the community.
  Ben accomplished much in his life, but none of this would have been 
possible without the Grace of God; the love and support of his wife, 
Lillie Ruth; his children, Chandra, Merita, Gregory, and Jimmy 
(deceased); his stepson Freeman; and a host of family and friends who 
will miss him deeply.
  On a personal note, I have been truly blessed with Ben's and Lillie 
Ruth's friendship and support over the years. Ben and Lillie Ruth have 
long had a passion for civic involvement manifested by unreserved 
support of candidates they believed would use the public trust of 
elected office to benefit their community. They worked tirelessly in 
voter registration, voter education, and voter participation. Together 
they could place campaign signs across the Macon landscape with such 
precision and creativity that they appeared to grow out of the ground 
overnight. Never have two people worked together for so long in so many 
elections for so many candidates and so successfully as the ``Ben and 
Lillie Ruth'' political team. I and countless other elected officials 
benefited and for their tireless service we will forever be grateful. 
Truly Macon, Bibb County, and America are better because Benjamin Evans 
passed our way.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife, Vivian, and me, 
along with the more than 730,000 residents of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District, in paying tribute to Mr. Benjamin ``Ben'' Evans 
and in extending our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and, 
loved ones during this difficult time of bereavement. Moreover, we pray 
that we will all be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the 
Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

                          ____________________