Evelyn Lorraine Wilson

Evelyn Lorraine (Hervey) Wilson was born in Coffeeville, Mississippi on December 2, 1953, to Stanford and Lilliar Vee Hervey (Kee).  Evelyn was the first born of four children--Beverly (Hervey) Acuff, Steve Hervey, and Anthony Hervey.  When Evelyn was 13, she and her family moved to Terre Haute, IN, where she attended Sarah Scott Junior High.  She met Sylvester Wilson at Wiley High School.  Evelyn and Sylvester were married on August 2, 1975.  Together they had two daughters: Angella and Mishala.  Evelyn and Sylvester raised their girls in Omaha, NE and Orange County, CA.  They were/are a close-knit family and enjoyed taking trips back to Indiana to spend holidays and summers, as well as playing an active role in their childrens' activities, as their girls grew up.  

After moving to California, Evelyn soon after became a member of Second Baptist Church.  Evelyn was a proud and very active member of SBC.  During her years at Second Baptist, Evelyn served in various roles including Sunday School Teacher, and Teacher/Tutor at the SBC Learning Center, to name a few.  In addition, she was long-standing member of the Malachi Investment Club, as well as participating in small groups outside of church.  She was also very fond of the women's trips that she got to experience with some of her close friends.  Evelyn found joy, and fulfillment in all the roles and programs she participated in, but what she talked about the most, were the people.  She was fond of, and thankful for the relationships she had formed through the SBC family, the youth she taught/mentored, and most of all, the love and support she experienced through these relationships.

Evelyn was an active member of The National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW), Inc, Orange County Chapter.  The last role she held up, up until 2024, was that of Madam 3rd Vice President.  It was her passion, and pleasure to work as an advocate amongst other members, to advocate on behalf of Black women and girls, to impact her community and mentor young women for a bright future.  You would often hear her talking about showing up for the girls' program or working to install new members in the chapter.  Aside from the pride she took in the work that NCBW  did for the community, like her church family, she also had a NBCW family.  She frequently spoke of members whom she had bonded and formed relationships with and cheered on the young women whom she mentored in the program.  She was extremely proud and honored to be part of NCBW Orange County Chapter.

In addition to her commitment to community and people outside of work, she was a loyal employee at Boys Town for 46 years.  She worked at Boys Town from 1977 to 2023.  During her years at Boys Town, she held many roles, but one thing remained true, Evelyn was committed to serving at-risk youth and making a difference.  What began as a job living in the home as a family teacher became a lifetime career.  Evelyn held the roles of Family Teacher, Residential Consultant, Director of Foster Care, Director of the Emergency Shelter, and lastly, National Training Center Consultant.  In her last role at Boys Town, she was able to travel the world teaching families and staff new skills.

Aside from Evelyn's out-of-work, and work commitments, her primary love was spending time with her family and dancing.  While her girls were young, Evelyn loved to shop and craft with her girls, support at dance recitals, sporting events, and anything else they were participating in.  She ensured that her girls' clothes were ironed crisply (with the lines) and spent hours doing their hair.  She was their number one supporter, and although she was often strict, and did not bite her tongue when sharing her opinions, she was so very proud of her girls.  When her grandchildren were born, she took things up a whole other level (if that is at all possible)!  She cared for her grandchildren during their newborn, and toddler stages, singing songs to them, and playing games.  As they got older, she took them to the movies, on road trips, had sleepovers, and many more memories were made with them.  At Christmas time, her favorite time of the year, they always watched a favorite movie, stayed in pajamas, and made pancakes and hot chocolate.  Just like with her girls, she found joy in attending all their sporting events and activities, often cheering the loudest, and always providing constructive criticism on how they could improve.  One thing you would always hear her say is how much joy they brought to her life.

Evelyn, (wife, mom, grandma, sister, aunt, cousin, friend) was a leader.  She was devoted, reliable, compassionate, graceful, and a straight shooter.  She was admired for her poise, insight, and young spirit.  Her siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends looked to her for all of these things, and her legacy of love lives on in everyone she touched.  While we continue to adjust to her absence here on earth with us, we find solace and joy in knowing she is pain-free and with our Heavenly Father.  We find peace that she is surrounded by those of her loved ones that have gone before her.  Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Stanford, Lilliar Vee, and brother, Steve (Cynthia).  She is survived by her husband, Sylvester; her daughters, Angella, and Mishala (Dwayne); her grandchildren, Isaiah, Ethan, Madison, Tucker, and Caleb; her siblings, Beverly (Marvin), and Anthony.  Also mourning the loss of Evelyn, areher aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and a host of other family and friends.

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