David Evans

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Clifford Evans (Lt. Col. Retired) on October 19, 2025 in Blue Ridge, GA. He was born in Rockwood, Tennessee on July 6,1938 to the late Frank Clifford Evans and Archie Edna Culvahouse Evans. He was preceded in death by parents; sisters Mary Nelle Evans and Reba Evans Wheeler; and nephews David Phillip Hatcher and Daniel Evans Carlton.

He is survived by his partner of fourteen years, Sharon Queen Griffith; sons David Bradford (Rebecca) and Clifford Blair (Genevieve); grandchildren Benedict Clifford O’Cevans and Diana Maeve O’Cevans; and many nieces and nephews.

David was a 1956 graduate of Rockwood High School. He received his B.S. Degree in Accounting from East Tennessee University in 1965. He was a founding member and president of the campus chapter of PI KAPPA PHI. He was also president of the Intra-Fraternity Council his senior year. He later received his MBA in Management from Georgia State University.

David began his career with the state of Georgia in 1965. He eventually worked with eight governors in many different capacities. Appointed by Governor George Busbee 1976 to be Commissioner of Corrections, he had the longest running tenure in that office in the nation. During his leadership, he was recognized by his peers in the American Correctional Association and received the “E. R. Cass Award”, the highest honor bestowed on someone in the Criminal Justice System. He was also recognized by the Southern States Correctional Association for his leadership, and was the guiding force in starting the Georgia Correctional Association

David served as chairman of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Certified Public Management Board, and a member of the Governor’s Commission on Children and Youth. In 1990 Governor Joe Frank Harris appointed him to serve on the Board of Pardons and Parole. In 1991 he was appointed by Governor Zell Miller as Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services and served in that office until his retirement in 1996.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958. He later re-enlisted in the Tennessee Air National Guard, eventually becoming the hospital administrator with the 134th USAF McGhee-Tyson base clinic. His military career spanned an amazing 38 years.

David would later claim that he was “just a poor country boy from Rockwood, Tennessee”. To those who knew him, he was a brilliant, exacting, and “hard-nosed” but fair employer. He was a loyal, compassionate man who had faith in others and believed in giving them a chance at a career and life.

In the words of many of his former employees: “He was a great Commissioner. We had our best years under his leadership. During his tenure we had the Golden Era of Georgia Corrections. RIP Commissioner”.

“Our love and support go out to his family and friends”.

A celebration of life will be held November 8, 2025 at Cochran-McDaniel Funeral Home, Blue Ridge, GA. Visitation will begin at 12pm with a memorial service at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society and St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Research Hospital.

The family of David Clifford Evans would like to thank the staff of Willowbrook Hospice for all their care and concern during this difficult time.

Cochran|McDaniel Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of David Evans.  you may sign the guest register and send condolences to the family at www.cochranmcdaniel.com