Mr. Charles Wendell Evans

Charles Wendell “Coach” Evans, 79, a longtime resident of Grant in Marshall County and, previously, Warrior in Jefferson County, died of complications from COVID-19 on August 11 at St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital in Pell City. He had resided in an eldercare facility nearby for the past year. A retired educator, he was born on August 19, 1940, in Cullman County to Ora Gaines and Annie Bell Evans and grew up in the Berlin community (he would want you to know it’s pronounced “BER-lin”). In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 15 years, Emma Frances “Fran” Evans, and sisters Clara Faye Evans and Melba Jean Keeling. He also was preceded in death by his second wife, Aleen Hanson Evans. He is survived by his son, Chuck Evans (Hal Word) of Birmingham; stepdaughter Regina Taylor (Joni McAbee) of Scottsboro; stepsons Chuck Taylor (Donna) of Morganton, Ga., and Todd Taylor (Melanie) of Leeds; sister Betty Chambers (Jay Kinder) of Miramar Beach, Fla.; one niece and three nephews; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren by marriage. A scholarship athlete in baseball and basketball, he earned his bachelor’s degree at St. Bernard College (pronounced “BER-nurd”) in Cullman in 1962 and, a few years after beginning his career, earned his master’s in education at the University of Montevallo. He enjoyed a 32-year career in secondary education, primarily as a teacher of history, civics and English at Warrior Middle School and High School, where he also coached basketball, baseball and football for many years. He also was a beloved school bus driver. He served on the Warrior City Council and later, after retiring, remarrying and moving to Grant in 1994, was active with his second wife in many civic, senior citizens advocacy and retired teachers organizations. After being widowed, he remarried again in 2004 and enjoyed a new lease on life with a wonderful and loving extended family. He was a faithful member of Grace Fellowship Baptist Church in Grant and a devoted caretaker of dogs and cats, particularly strays. Any tribute to this most precious man would be remiss not to mention that he surely was one of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s and Bear Bryant’s most ardent fans. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no funeral or formal graveside services will be held; he will be laid to rest beside his parents and sister Faye in Berlin Cemetery, courtesy of Grant Memorial Chapel. Family and friends will gather at a later date to celebrate the life of this colorful storyteller who, to use a favorite phrase of his, could talk the horns off a billy goat. Donations in his memory can be made to Grace Fellowship Baptist Church (P.O. Box 562, Grant, AL 35747); the Marshall County Humane Society (356 Gunter Avenue, Guntersville, AL 35976); or the animal welfare, rescue or adoption organization of your choice.

Mr. Charles Wendell Evans

August 19, 1940 - August 11, 2020