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Neil Evans

September 21, 2011
Locust Grove, Georgia

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Haisten Funerals and Cremations

1745 Zack Hinton Parkway, South
Mcdonough, GA 30253
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Tel. (770) 914-8833
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“Our hearts go out to all of the family for the loss of such a kind and loving man. We have so many memories of the Furniture store he owned. I...Read More » ”
1 of 10 | Posted by: Wendy & Jim Fox & Heath Kelly - GA

“What an honor it was to take care of Neil Evans during this final journey of his life. Everyone at Sacred Journey sends their prayers and love...Read More » ”
2 of 10 | Posted by: Sacred Journey Hospice - GA

“I know that he is with so many loved ones that he has missed. My very deepest sympathy...Rhonda. ”
3 of 10 | Posted by: Rhonda Edgar - Suches, GA

“We have alot of happy memories of good times at the Riverdale Lake House with Neil and the boys. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Tom, Jeff and...Read More » ”
4 of 10 | Posted by: Tom and Terry Fagan - Chappells, SC

“Rest in peace, Mr. Evans. I never met you, but your son, Tom, brought (and continues to bring) much joy into my and my late husband Britt's lives....Read More » ”
5 of 10 | Posted by: Rachel O'Neal - BISHOP, GA

“It is an Honor and Privilege to sing at Mr. Evans Funeral. When his son Thomas asked me if I would sing with Him my answer of course was YES! The...Read More » ”
6 of 10 | Posted by: Maritza Granger - Fayetteville, GA

“Although I didn't get to really know Neil, I feel the loss and my love and prayers go to Sam and the family at this time. ”
7 of 10 | Posted by: Gloria Gibson - Marietta, GA

“"And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land, for I will not leave...Read More » ”
8 of 10 | Posted by: Justin, Regina Erlenbusch and Grace Harrelson - GA

“Neil We loved you very much and you will be missed a whole lot.I know you are with God now he needed you more than we did so rest in peace and god...Read More » ”
9 of 10 | Posted by: martha parris - Mcdonough, GA

“We are all in prayer for you and your family. Your uncle has spent his time here and now he is on the journey that we all will take. May he travel...Read More » ”
10 of 10 | Posted by: Marshall Mitchell - Tucker, GA

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H. Neil Evans, Sr., aged 77, passed away quietly September 21 in his Locust Grove home, surrounded by friends and family who loved him. Neil bravely battled cancer for the past two years and kept his sense of humor until the end. Those who knew him will remember Neil for that humor—his easy laugh, his devilish grins, and the twinkle in eyes—as he faced whatever challenges life had to offer.

Neil was the proud owner of the College Park Furniture Company, a local business that will celebrate its 100th year of business in 2012. In 1964, he bought the store, previously owned by his father and grandfather before him. In the 1970s and 1980s he also owned and operated College Park Leasing and Plaza Furniture. During his 47-year business career, Neil was an active Rotarian, served as President of the Georgia Retail Association and served on the Board of Directors for Bank South for over twenty years.

Neil was a true sportsman. He loved deer hunting, bird hunting, and fishing. He enjoyed outdoor activities with all of his children, grandchildren, and nieces. He tried his hand at boat ownership, but later joked that the two happiest days in a boat owner's life really were the day he bought the boat and the day he sold the boat. With his boat, he became his granddaughter's hero in an adventure that will remain a family legend.

Neil was born in College Park, Georgia to the late J. Howard and Mary Frances Johnson Evans. He was preceded in death by a son, H. Neil Evans, Jr. and a sister, Jo Anne Evans. He served his country in the United States Army and was of the graduating class of Mercer University in 1956. He was a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a member of Luella Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Sam Evans; sons, Thomas and Jefferson Evans, both of Riverdale; step-daughters, Melanie (Raymond) Chandler of Locust Grove, Gwen (William) Masters of New Orleans, LA; grandchildren, Jessica (Chris) Dameron of Covington, KY, Amanda (Wesley) Brown of Brooks, Quinton Chandler of Athens; great-grandchildren, Savannah and Alexander Jay Dameron; uncle, Rev. Charles J. (Adele) Evans of Rome; niece, Lee (Steve) Fincher of Jonesboro.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, September 26, 2011 at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Haisten Funeral Home. Pastor Dave Riley will officiate. Interment will follow at Riverdale Baptist Cemetery. Friends may visit the family Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Haisten Funeral Home, 1745 Zack Hinton Parkway South, McDonough, GA 30253, 770-914-8833, haistenfunerals.com.

Funeral Services

Interment

Riverdale Baptist Cemetery

Visitation

September 25, 2011
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Haisten Funerals & Cremations
1745 Zack Hinton Pkwy S.
McDonough, GA 30253

Get Directions →

Funeral Service

September 26, 2011
2:00 PM

Haisten Funerals & Cremations
1745 Zack Hinton Pkwy S.
McDonough, GA 30253

Get Directions →

Interment

Riverdale Baptist Cemetery

Memories & Candles

Our hearts go out to all of the family
for the loss of such a kind and loving man. We have so many memories of the Furniture store he owned. I purchased Heath's first fullsize bedroom set from his store many years ago, and it is in our house to this day. I won't be able to walk into that bedroom again without thinking of Neil. I remember the many meals that we had the opportunity to share with Neil &

... more

Posted by: Wendy & Jim Fox & Heath Kelly - Waynesville, GA - Friend of Family Sep 26, 2011

What an honor it was to take care of Neil Evans during this final journey of his life.

Everyone at Sacred Journey sends their prayers and love to all of Neil's Family.

We are here for you and will help in whatever way we can.

Blessings to the Evans' Family

The Staff of Sacred Journey Hospice

Posted by: Sacred Journey Hospice - Mcdonough, GA - Hospice Staff Sep 26, 2011

I know that he is with so many loved ones that he has missed. My very deepest sympathy...Rhonda.

Posted by: Rhonda Edgar - Suches, GA - Friend Sep 26, 2011

We have alot of happy memories of good times at the Riverdale Lake House with Neil and the boys.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Tom, Jeff and the rest of the family.

Love,
Uncle Tom and Aunt Terry

Posted by: Tom and Terry Fagan - Chappells, SC - ex- brother-in-law Sep 25, 2011

Rest in peace, Mr. Evans. I never met you, but your son, Tom, brought (and continues to bring) much joy into my and my late husband Britt's lives. Thank you for the gift of your children.

Posted by: Rachel O'Neal - BISHOP, GA - Friend of his son, Tom. Sep 24, 2011

It is an Honor and Privilege to sing at Mr. Evans Funeral. When his son Thomas asked me if I would sing with Him my answer of course was YES! The songs his Father picked out are so Beautiful and through the lyrics of the songs I feel like I got to know his Father.
What a Wonderful Man Mr. Evans must have been. Tom has shared with me so many fond memories he had with his Father growing up.

... more

Posted by: Maritza Granger - Fayetteville, GA - A close friend of son Tom Evans Sep 24, 2011

Although I didn't get to really know Neil, I feel the loss and my love and prayers go to Sam and the family at this time.

Posted by: Gloria Gibson - Marietta, GA - cousin by marriage Sep 24, 2011

"And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land, for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." - Gen 28:15 KJV

The promise of salvation is given to us by grace through faith of Jesus Christ. A personal relationship with Christ is like no other.

Neil,
We love you and will miss you for a time

... more

Posted by: Justin, Regina Erlenbusch and Grace Harrelson - Carrollton, GA Sep 23, 2011

Neil We loved you very much and you will be missed a whole lot.I know you are with God now he needed you more than we did so rest in peace and god bless.

Martha Parris

Posted by: martha parris - Mcdonough, GA - Sister-in-law Sep 23, 2011

We are all in prayer for you and your family. Your uncle has spent his time here and now he is on the journey that we all will take. May he travel and rest in peace.

Posted by: Marshall Mitchell - Tucker, GA - Friend of Lee and Steve Fincher Sep 22, 2011

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What an incredible man and an amazing full life we have the opportunity to celebrate. God truly “broke the mold” when he gave us all PaPa Neil. To tell all the memories and wonderful times we shared together would surely crash this site.
Some of the recollections that remain the strongest will always be the many vacations we took together to the mountains and Florida. One of our favorite restaurants was an oyster bar named A.J.’s which just so happened to be one of the two nicknames that he had for me. Another was Bayou Bill’s where there was a stuffed gorilla that he always joked was his brother. And believe me he had me convinced that it was. Our plan was to break his brother out of that restaurant. The best part for me was that I was going to drive the getaway car. Mind you I was all of about 10 years old. I couldn’t tell our beach memories without telling the tale of the bubbles. We had a hot tub on the balcony of the condo we always stayed at and this particular time I had decided that I needed bubbles. So PaPa Neil being the unwavering grandfather that he was went out and bought the biggest box of Mr. Bubbles he could find. Needless to say when he added the entire box to the Jacuzzi we were making bubbles for sure. Not only was the balcony and myself covered past my head but we managed to have bubbles floating along the shoreline of the beach for as far as we could see.
Our weekend trips to the paper box and grocery store always ended the same. I would jump in his lap and steer the car as soon as we would turn on the dirt road. Those trips would have to finish with me pulling us into the driveway and parking the car and him saying “well we made it in one piece”. The “J Stroke” lessons on the lake in the boat, the three wheeler rides and lunch dates where he opened doors and pulled out chairs and explained to me how a man worthy of my love should treat me. Sunday dinners where he was guaranteed to disappear only to be found in bed asleep after we all ate ourselves silly. And by far the fondest were seeing my children, his great-grandchildren, get the chance to have some of those memories for themselves.
I will always be forever grateful for the times we shared and I look forward to the day we meet again. Until then I will cherish these times and will everlastingly hold you dear in my heart.

Your loving Monkey,
Amanda

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Posted by Amanda Brown from Brooks, GA - Granddaughter on September 28, 2011

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Many may not know me personally, but I am his God given legitimate grandchild. I wish I could say I knew him better, but I really cannot. My last memory of him is he didn't remember who I was and that crushed me. So now I am trying to write this in the best way I can. I will always love my Grandfather and I wish the best for everyone. This is my last rite as a grandchild who never really knew her grandfather, and I hope this offends no one, but this is what I've dealt with my entire life. I was the one on the back burner and I really wish I could have been in his life.
God bless and Rest in Peace..Papa Neil.