Louanna Evans

Louanna Evans, formerly of Myrtle Beach passed away on Thursday, April 11, 2024, in College Park, Georgia. 

"The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

On February 29, 1936 (a leap year), heaven sent Louanna McCray, the daughter of the late Sam and Emma Jane McCray, to begin her life in Georgetown, SC. She was the third of seven children. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Henry "Big Henry" Evans, brother Sam McCray, Jr., and sister Frances McCray Smalls.

Louanna was educated in the public schools of Georgetown, SC. After graduating from Howard High School's largest graduating class (at that time) in 1954, she left Georgetown for Manhattan, NY in search of a job to help her family with expenses for the younger siblings. When her mother became ill, she placed her personal goals on hold to return home. After her mother's death in 1957, Louanna started fulfilling the promise she made to her mother to ensure the remaining siblings go to college. She took on the role of mother, best friend, and big sister to her younger siblings. Although she had no children of her own, she would continue caring for several generations as she helped raise nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and nephews and contributed to supporting family friends who she also counted as family.

Louanna was a faithful member of Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach, SC where she was active in several ministries from the Cuisine Committee in the early days to Senior Missionary Society, Bible Study, and Sunday School, including representing the church at national conventions since 1984. She also received distinguished recognition as a Church and Community "Trailblazer". She was a Biblical scholar who loved the Scriptures and knew that God never demands success, only Faithfulness to His cause. This led her to seek out additional knowledge in a three-year intensive Baptist training program. Her loyalty to her church and her kindness to those in need will always be a living memorial to her and her beautiful service-filled life.

Louanna retired after over 20 years of service in hospitality. She now had more time for her hobbies: meeting people, cooking, bowling, participating at the senior center, putting her drivers' license to use, and spending time with her family. She was also an active member of Rose Bud Tent #23 for over 50 years and her Supper Club. She loved family gatherings, especially Christmas! For her surprise 80th birthday, she received a proclamation from the city of Myrtle Beach and was celebrated by over 100 family members and friends from far and near.

Her later years were full of thrills as she set out across the country to see many of the things she saw on television: the Holy Land Experience in Florida, a TBN live taping in New York, a visit to Pastor David Jeremiah's church in California, and as a contestant on Let's Make a Deal in Los Angeles, California. She also traveled across France, Germany, Belgium, and throughout the Caribbean. She was living proof that whether you get your driver's license in your 50s or travel the world in your 80s...it's never too late to fulfill your dreams.

Louanna has consistently been "the glue" for both her family and friend groups. She was a people person with a fearless spirit and made a difference in the lives of many whom God allowed her to encounter. On the afternoon of April 11th, surrounded by family at her sister's home in Atlanta, Georgia, she quietly and firmly grasped her Master's hand and stepped across the threshold into her eternal home. Louanna leaves to cherish her memory four (4) siblings: Franklin McCray (Loretta), Carolyn Lester, Tyron McCray (Jerline), and Barbara Hay (Andrew); her sister-in-law, Velma McCray, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the LORD". Psalm 27:14

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM, on Friday, April 19, 2024, at Sandy Grove Missionary Baptist Church.  Interment will follow at Ocean Woods Cemetery.  There will be a viewing from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Ocean View Funeral Home and Beach Crematory, Myrtle Beach Chapel.

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