Iris Evans

Iris Lee Walker-Evans was born and raised by the late Vela Walker and Junious Walker in South Hill, Virginia, on June 5, 1938. The family attended Macedonia Pentecostal Church under the leadership of  Bishop Wave Pitts in South Hill, VA.  Iris Evans departed from this life to her Heavenly Father and savior Jesus Christ on January 14, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. She had many gifts and talents and attended John Groome Public School in Virginia. God gave her knowledge, wisdom, and understanding while helping and honoring her late mother, Vela Walker, to care for her younger siblings. 

Iris was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ at the age of 11 years old. She moved to Passaic, N.J.  in the year of 1966. She was baptized again in the name of Jesus Christ and filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost at the Emanuel Church of Christ in Newark, N.J., in 1970. She then moved to Newark N.J.  in 1972 and became a member of Lighthouse Temple and served faithfully on the Mother & Missionary board for 15 years under the leadership of the late Bishop James Parrott Sr. She was called and ordained in Church of “Our Lord Jesus Christ”  in 1983 to Evangelize and teach the word of God  “Tell It like it is” Word of God Ministry under Pastor Stanley Newson, Resurrection Temple in Hillside N.J. now under her Grandson, Pastor Ananda Evans in Hillside, New Jersey. 

Iris Evans moved from Newark, N.J., to reside with her loving  daughter, Iris Yvonne Gordon, and her loving son-in-law, Jerry Gordon, in March 2024. She was an Amazing, Loving, and Wonderful Mother, grandmother, sister, aunt , godmother, friend, and best of all, a child of “GOD” whose spirit was led by the inspiration of  “GOD.” She was a legend and queen of hearts. Her love for God was her Legacy.”

She had a gift of giving to loved ones, homeless families, communities, churches, and children. She was an amazing caregiver herself until she became mobility-impaired at the end of 2023. She endured many health complications, but she fought a good fight.

Evangelist Iris Evans loved attending church, fellowshipping with friends, uniting with families, enjoying entertainment and concerts, playing the keyboard, singing, shopping, and dining. Her passion was seafood. She designed and made T-shirts, church fans, CD’s, DVD recordings, and photography. She was a composer of music and poems. She had love and compassion for others. Her favorite colors were black, gold, and purple. She really loved balloons and cards. Iris first began playing the guitar in the early 70’s. Her instrumental talents began later in 1970, playing the keyboard “under the inspiration of God”. Later in years, she formed a family Gospel group called the Walker Quintets.

She was a songwriter, writer, poet , and musician. She wrote a poem for her mom in 1980, “You’re Beautiful, You’re Beautiful, You Are,” and turned it into a song and sang it at her siblings' home-going services. “She wrote “A Star is Born in Bethlehem”, “Rapping for Jesus,” and “It Is Good” was our family favorite, plus more.

She also directed a choir called God’s Little Acres Intermediate Choir in the year 2000 at Resurrection Temple of Christ Apostolic Faith. She fellowshipped with Second Full Gospel Church in her Community in Newark, N.J., and New Generation Church, Pastor Thomas Perry, in Paterson, N.J. She last attended True Worship United Pentecostal Church, Pastor Ben Cooke, in Conway, S.C., with her loving and devoted daughter, Iris Yvonne Gordon.

Iris Lee Evans was predeceased by her parents Junious and Vela Walker; late husband, Bennie Evans; her son, Larry Evans; her step-son, Bennie Evans, Jr.; her grandson, Lurell Evans; her granddaughter, Tyisha Evans; her brother, Cody Walker; her sisters, MaryAnn Allen, Jean Clayton, Linda Thomas, Vandora Walker, Elaine Willis, and Marion Vaughn; and goddaughter, Tracey Pope. Although all her siblings have preceded her in death, she loved and missed them all.

Iris Evans leaves to cherish her love, legacy, and memories her daughters, Iris Yvonne (Jerry) Gordon and Rossa Evans; her son, Lonnie (Sheila) Evans; and her godson, Todd Clayton. She also leaves to cherish a host of loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

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