Willie B. "Evans" Grant

Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide till the day is done.
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus.
No, not one! No, not one.

Willie B. (Grant) Evans, affectionately known as "Willie Bea", was born on April 26, 1927, in Whitakers, North Carolina, to the late Bettie King Grant and Garfield Grant. She was the second youngest of eight siblings and was raised in a lively household filled with love, laughter, and strong family values. She transitioned from this earthly life on February 25, 2026, at Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Willie Bea received her early education in Virginia and proudly graduated from Huntington High School in Newport News, Virginia, earning her diploma in 1949.

Following graduation, Willie Bea moved to Washington, D.C., where she lived with her beloved sister, Elizabeth. It was there that she met the love of her life, James Evans. After a whirlwind courtship of one year, the couple married and, in August of 1953, relocated to San Francisco, California, where they built a vibrant life together.

Willie Bea found great joy in motherhood. She welcomed her first child, a daughter, Juachina Denise Evans, affectionately known as "Kina," on April 25, 1956. Nine years later, on April 7, 1965, she celebrated the birth of her only son, Stacey Evans. After twenty years of marriage, Willie Bea and James went their separate ways, but she remained in San Francisco, where she devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her children and nurturing her family.

Determined to continue growing beyond the role of a stay-at-home mother, Willie Bea pursued education in several fields. She earned multiple certificates, including one in Early Childhood Development, reflecting her passion for guiding and encouraging young minds. Her professional career began at the Recreation Center for the Handicapped, where she formed meaningful connections with those she served. She later joined the staff of Lakeside Presbyterian Church Children's Center, where her compassion, patience, and dedication left a lasting impact on countless children and families. She faithfully served there until her retirement in the fall of 1993.

Retirement did not mark the end of Willie Bea's journey of learning. Instead, it opened the door to new opportunities. She enrolled at City College of San Francisco, where she explored basic computer science and foreign languages. Although she did not pursue a formal degree, she found immense joy in learning alongside younger students and sharing her life experiences and wisdom with those around her.

Willie Bea's life was defined by her love of family, her passion for learning, and her gift for motivating and uplifting others. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bettie and Garfield Grant; her brothers, Arthur, Tyler, and Roosevelt Grant; and her sisters, Effie Lee Walston, Elizabeth Hammonds, Blanche Grant, and Cornelia Lyons.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory her daughter, Juachina Eddings (husband, Evester Eddings Sr.); her son, Stacey Evans; her grandchildren, Monique Eddings and Evester Eddings Jr. (wife, Stephanie Eddings); and her three beloved great-grandchildren, DJ Eddings, Evan Lee Eddings, and Sophia Tianna Eddings, along with a host of extended family members and dear friends who will miss her deeply.

Willie B. (Grant) Evans was a remarkable woman whose legacy of love, resilience, and dedication to education will continue to inspire all who knew her. She will be remembered for her unwavering spirit, her devotion to family, and her ability to brighten any room with her presence. Her passion for learning and motivating others left a lasting imprint on the lives she touched.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on March 21, 2026, at St. Matthews Baptist Church, 813 New Hope Church Road, Battleboro, North Carolina 27809.

May her soul rest in peace, and may her memory forever be a blessing.