Lillian Gilbert Evans Whitney, 93, of Hartselle died peacefully in her home on Friday, March 25th, 2022. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Paul Gilbert and Henry Lela Taft Gilbert; two loving husbands, John E. Evans, Jr. and Ray Whitney; son-in-law, Hal Roberts; and stepdaughter, Linda Thompson. She is survived by her children, Lela Roberts, Alice Evans, and John E. Evans, III (Cammy); grandchildren, Shelly Thompson, Alison Roberts, John E. Evans IV, Ben Evans, and Andrew Evans; great grandchildren, Lily Evans and Liam Evans; special friends, Sharon Bryant, Jane Clark, and Tina Flowers; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and others she adopted as family.
Lillian’s life was one best described as one of service. At 15, she learned to drive with a large, flatbed truck receiving her hardship license. She used that license and flatbed truck to deliver groceries to the Sumiton, AL, community for her parent’s business, Gilbert’s Mercantile. It was a manual transmission and she was so small she had to stand on the clutch with both feet. She delivered groceries for Gilbert’s Mercantile from the time of earning that license until she left home.
She graduated from Dora High School with honors and continued her post-secondary education at Birmingham Southern College. She was the first and only college graduate from the family earning a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a double minor in English and Social Studies. Her parents instilled the importance of service and education having only a 5th and 6th grade education between the two of them. She was raised in the Sumiton Methodist Church where she was in the church choir and developed her love of singing alto.
While in college, Lillian was on the tennis team and a pitcher for the girl’s club softball team. She pitched at least one no-hitter game. John E. Evans, Jr., who eventually became the love of her life, first saw her while she was playing softball. He relentlessly pursued her until she accepted his fraternity pin. Upon graduation she accepted a job at the new Decatur High School while he finished his last year of college. She taught there a year before returning to Birmingham to marry John.
Lillian taught Physical Education, Social Studies, and English in various schools in the Birmingham/Jefferson County area. She also served as a cheerleading sponsor, coached girl’s athletics, and helped with other school activities such as the Annual Staff and beauty pageants. She kept an eagle-eye on her brother-in-law who was one of her physical education students at Robert E. Lee. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Alabama Christian College’s Birmingham campus.
In 1958 she and John welcomed, Lela Ann, and soon after Alice. On August 9th, 1964, together, she and John were baptized and began a lifelong commitment to the Church. As the girls grew and got involved in Girl Scouts, Lillian served many years as Girl Scout leader or co-leader. Her scouts affectionately called her Mama Lil. She spent countless hours taking the troops through various nature experiences.
They were surprised with the arrival of their son, John III. Soon after his birth Lillian left public education and after substituting in many schools in the Jefferson County area, began teaching at Jefferson Christian Academy where she taught English, Math, Typing, Social Studies, and any other subject that they needed someone to teach. She also drove the school bus.
Former students at JCA have expressed that her influence on their lives continue to this day. They talk about how she was tough, but always fair. Her own son knew how tough she was as a teacher. She didn’t want to be too hard on him, but also didn’t want to show favoritism and he almost failed her 8th grade English class. His sisters agree that when she substituted in their classes that she was tough on them as well.
Later she and John, by faith and out of a desire to help children who were too young to help themselves, sold their home, left their jobs, and moved to Cullman to become the administrator and executive director of Childhaven Children’s Home. Lillian was working on her master’s degree at the University of Montevallo, but due to the move was never able to finish. Even though she was an administrator, she spent countless hours assisting “her kids” with school assignments, college admissions, and providing them the safety and security many of them had never experienced before.
Before retirement, she welcomed her first granddaughter, Alison. After they retired, she and John moved to Smith Lake and began working part-time at Clear Creek State Park. Together they made significant improvements to the hiking trails there and Lillian, using her lifelong love of wildflowers, gardening, and plants, helped locate, identify, and tag flora along the trails.
John passed June 26, 1991, and she later married Ray Whitney adding many new members to her family. During their marriage they enjoyed traveling and camping in 40 of the 48 contiguous United States. She also welcomed her first two grandsons, John IV and Ben. Every summer, Lillian made a special point of bringing all her grandchildren together at the lake and taking them camping. After Ray’s passing, she remained very close to Ray’s daughter Linda and granddaughter Shelly. In 2004 her last grandson, Andrew, was born.
While living in Curry, AL, she became active at Curry church of Christ where she met and befriended a group of ladies that included Miss Jane. Their friendship was one of those rare adult friendships that seemed to have encompassed a lifetime. They were like sisters.
Even as mother began to lose her health the women who helped care for her and their families became part of her family. Plumbers, yard keepers, pest control professionals, even the guy who delivered the gas, and all their families became part of her family.
Over the last few years, she welcomed two great grandchildren, Lillian (Lily) and William (Liam).
Lillian was famous for never meeting a stranger, she advocated for those she loved and those she barely knew. All who knew her will remember her infectious laugh, sharp wit, brilliant sense of humor, and alto singing voice. She expected the best of those around her and did what she could to help them achieve it. Her service to God manifested as service to others.
Visitation will be at Peck Funeral Home in Hartselle, AL, on Saturday, April 2nd, 2022, from 10am-12pm followed by a graveside service at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham, AL, at 3pm
