Rita Whitfield Evans

DURHAM- Rita Earle Whitfield Evans was called to be with her Lord and Savior March 1st, 2026

She was born on October 7th, 1931 to the late Tom and Beatrice Whitfield.

Rita graduated from Durham High School in 1949.

Rita held many "jobs", duties, and responsibilities in her life. The first, being a mother, was symbolic of what kind of loving gift she would share with so many children and young people throughout her life. Rita taught Sunday School for 50 years for 5 year-olds in the same room in First Baptist Church. The church mission trips she participated in to many countries across the world were deeply meaningful to her because they gave her more chances to not only share the Good News of Jesus Christ to people but simply to provide comfort and love to them. Children were always Rita's most heartfelt love while on the mission trips.....those who knew Rita also know that she saw these children as deserving the warmest love. Saying "goodbye" to the almost countless children encountered on the trips surely brought Mom's emotions to the surface as if they were her own. That's the "Rita" kind of love.

Rita owned and operated a daycare in her home for approximately 15 years. Even though the cutoff age was 3 years, there were many moms and dads who stayed very close to Rita for many years due to the close bonds created....Rita loved the children deeply. She would often share Scriptural truth regarding all children...."they are gifts and blessings on loan to us from God....we are the caretakers and are called to nurture, teach, and raise them in His ways".

After operating the daycare, Rita worked at UPS as a clerk for 17 years. As was always the case with her, she made many friends at UPS and enjoyed the time working with people.

Rita was a vital support of the prison ministry at the Hillsborough prison. While her husband, Jack Sr. was the person who actually visited the prison, Rita prepared their home to receive the prisoners in a loving way by preparing meals and providing a safe place for them to be while they attended worship services and spent time with people who shared love and Christian guidance.

Rita loved working at the Caring Center at First Baptist Church. She enjoyed the fellowship of Christian service with the other volunteers but she found many ways to utilize the Caring Center as a continuation of ministry.

Rita, Mom, Grandma, Aunt....LOVED making cards of all kinds to commemorate events, to share feelings, and simply to have fun. If you have ever received a card "made by Rita", "made by Mom" "made by Grandma", we invite you to bring a card to share (and take back home with you) while we commemorate one of Rita's very favorite hobbies together.

Rita truly enjoyed growing flowers....it's fair to say that she saw flowers as a beautiful part of God's creation and by growing them, they reminded her of not only that beauty but the spiritual growth that she delighted in.

Rita is survived by her husband of 75 years, Jack Evans Sr., her 3 children, Cindy Gilbert and her husband, Gary, Carol Elliott and her husband, Jim, and Jack Evans Jr. and his wife, Dawn. Rita's grandchildren, Scott Gilbert and his wife Crystal, Christy Hinkson and her husband, Marcus, Emily Matthews, and her husband James, James Elliott III, William Jackson (Jack), and Ethan. There are 12 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

A visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 414 Cleveland Street, Durham, NC 27701.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 414 Cleveland Street, Durham, NC 27701. Officiating will be Pastor Andy Davis and Pastor Andy Winn. Burial to follow at Maplewood Cemetery.

Flowers are acceptable.

The family is under the care of Hall-Wynne Funeral Service, Inc.