'A humble servant': Selma mourns former Mayor George Evans, dead at 78
Former Mayor of Selma George Evans died on May 15 at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, faith and pride in his hometown.
Evans spent over a decade in public service of the Queen City before retiring in 2016, and during that time, he made plenty of history. He was the first Black superintendent in Dallas County and the first Black city council president. He went on to serve two terms in the mayor’s office from 2008 to 2016.
“His life was well lived and filled with love,” Evans’ son Byron wrote on social media. “We appreciate all the kind words, prayers and visits.”
Evans grew up in a segregated Selma, and though he saw change on the horizon, he doubted there was much he could do to help it along, he told the Montgomery Advertiser in a 2016 interview.
While his brother Joe stayed in Alabama to fight for the voting rights movement, Evans moved out of state, following a college football opportunity to St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas. That’s where he was on Bloody Sunday in 1965, and Evans helped explain Alabama’s political climate to his classmates, urging them to learn more about the movement.
“People up there couldn’t believe what they were seeing,” Evans once said to the Advertiser. “I told them that what we had gone through back in Selma was real and true.”
He played college football for four years and earned his bachelor’s degree in education before returning to his home state. From there, Evans obtained his master’s and began gaining recognition as leader in education— and later, politics.
“The City of Selma lost a giant,” U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell said in a statement. “I have known Mayor Evans all my life, and he has always been a strong voice and a tireless fighter for the people of Selma. He loved his family, his church, his city, and most of all, he loved people. His public service has left an indelible imprint on Selma and he will be missed.”
During his eight years as mayor, Evans partnered with Sewell’s office several times. One project created new jobs against the background of the Great Recession, and another brought President Barack Obama to town for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
“George Evans was one of those rare individuals who tirelessly served his community without fanfare,” said Tafeni English-Relf, director of Southern Poverty Law Center Alabama. “Mr. Evans led in ways we hope all public servants would.”
Selma residents say a highlight of Evans’ mayoral career was the way he brought Selma through the financial fallout of 2008. Former Selma Councilman Cecil Williamson previously told the Montgomery Advertiser that while some people would have spent Selma into bankruptcy, Evans kept that from happening by cutting all municipal salaries outside of the police and fire departments.
“George has a real heart for the people, and that’s why he’s been able to accomplish so many things,” Williamson said.
A week after Evans’ death, the city remained in mourning. People who knew him gathered at City Hall and the Dallas County Board of Education on Monday to witness his procession to Cornerstone Presbyterian.
“The Honorable Evans was a valued member of our City who continued serving right up to the end. He will be missed,” current Selma Mayor James Perkins said in a statement.
Hundreds more people took to social media and Evans’ obituary at Randall Miller Funeral Service to send their condolences to the family and write about fond memories they have of Evans. They wrote about lessons learned from him in church, meals shared with him in local restaurants and the everyday joy of working with him in Dallas County schools.
One woman, Edie Jones, summed up many community members' sentiments: “The world is a better place because Mayor Evans was here.”
Hadley Hitson covers the rural South for the Montgomery Advertiser and Report for America. She can be reached at hhitson@gannett.com. To support her work, subscribe to the Advertiser or donate to Report for America.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Former Selma Alabama Mayor George Evans dead at 78
