Joan Evans

Mrs. Joan (Joanie) Welsh Evans, aged 90, passed away on the evening of Friday, November 26, 2021, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Her Funeral Service will be held 12:00 PM Thursday, December 2, 2021, at St. James Anglican Church, 1872 Camp Road, Charleston, SC. Burial will be private. A reception will immediately follow the service in the worship center.

Joanie—or Noanie, as her grandchildren affectionately called her—was born on September 16, 1931, to Joseph William and Octavia Moran Welsh of Charleston, SC. She married Vernon Creighton Evans in Charleston, SC, on August 9, 1952. Her husband, Creighton, and sons, the Reverend V. Creighton Evans, Jr., (wife Nina) and Michael Sean Evans, as well as her two grandchildren, Andrew Welsh Evans and Michael Sean Evans, predeceased her, as did her siblings, Octavia Welsh Manning (husband Reed) and Joseph William Welsh, Jr., (wife Emily). She is survived and remembered by her loving family: son Timothy Alan Evans and his wife, Lisa Easterlin Evans; her daughter-in-law, Nina Ash Evans; her grandchildren, Dr. Deidre Anne Evans Garriott (husband Todd), Timothy Easterlin Evans (wife Felicia), Vivian Catriona Evans, and William Aldret Evans; great-grandchildren Josiah Thomas, Noah Timothy, Luca Samuel, and Lillian Andrew Evans; her youngest sibling Nancy Welsh Bride (husband John); and many doting nieces and nephews.

Joanie graduated from Memminger High School in 1949 and lunched regularly with alumna throughout her life. After high school, she attended Rice Business School. Joanie was an active member of her community. She was a South Carolina Jaycee and a member of the National Association of Women in Construction. As a devoted Christian, she was a member of Saint James Anglican Church on James Island, SC.

Joanie was a dedicated family member and friend, beloved by many. She hosted many family holidays, took pictures of her grandchildren with her Polaroid camera, and passed on wisdom and family recipes (although all the children and grandchildren could not tell readers precisely how much Worcestershire sauce should go in her macaroni casserole, but they can tell you the “doodling” red rice means to stir it). She was a warm hostess who treated guests like lifelong family. She was welcome to any party and enjoyed throwing her own, especially if it meant “putting on a spread.” In the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, Joanie stood on the side of Highway 61 serving paper bowls of ice cream to law enforcement officers and people stuck in traffic trying to return to Downtown and James Island, even though her house was without power. She taught her grandchildren how to be good people and parents, saying at supper, “Feed the chi’ren first,” whether the children were human or canine. Her refrain reflects in many ways she put others before herself. Her generosity had few, if any, limits.

A beloved mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was also a well-respected colleague, especially at Hay Tire Pros, where she worked with Henry and David Hay until her retirement. Years after she stopped working, her colleagues at Hay remembered her fondly and remained in touch with her. As a working widow, Joanie was a role model to her grandchildren, especially her granddaughters and great-granddaughter, who can look at the way she supported her family during a time when single women, including widows, in the workplace were often marginalized both in their professions and communities. It was because of Joanie’s example that her children and grandchildren were able to pursue their ambitions and goals with such dedication and tenacity.

The Evans and Evans Garriotts would like to thank Angelic Home Care and Concierge Services, especially Scotti, Jacque, and Kymberle; Amedisys Hospice, especially Amber and the Reverend Mark Cooke; the Ashley Park Retirement Community, with profound gratitude to Terri and Tessa; and her dear friend, Betty Quiat, who spoke daily on the phone with Joanie until her last day.

While flowers are welcome, the Evans and Evans Garriott also invite memorials donated in Joanie’s name to the Andrew “Andy” Welsh Evans ’08 Memorial Scholarship Endowment by calling (864)656-5896.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, INC. (843) 766-1365.