Luther LaFayette Evers ¹¹⁴⁶

   Cause of his death was Parkinson's Disease.¹⁸⁵⁴

  General Notes:

OBITUARY 1

Funeral services for Luther L. Evers were held Monday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the First Methodist Church. The church service was conducted by the pastor Rev. W.A. Spence. Appropriate music was rendered by the church choir, Mrs. Carrie Grantham at the organ. The altar of the church wa banked with beautiful flowers, the tribute of relatives and friends. The Masonic burial service was rendered at the grave, Brother Roy R. Helm, P.M. delivering the funeral oration. Many Master Masons, Royal Arch Masons and Knights Templar joined in paying a last tribute to their departed brother. Burial was in the Masonic Cemetery on North Avenue.

Source "Republican Herald"

OBITUARY 2

Luther LaFayette Evers, son of James A.L. and Ann Eliza McGee Evers, was born in Massac County near Hillerman on July 15, 1883 and died at his home in Metropolis June 15, 1945, at the age of 61 years and 11 months. On November 5, 1903 he was united in marriage to Mary Ethel Bayless. To this union were born nine children. His wife and 3 children, Inez Pauline Evers, and an infant son, preceded him in death. On October 7, 1923, he was united in marriage to Nellie T. Trovillion. To this union were born three children. Those left to mourn, passing are his wife, Nellie, and his children, Paul Evers of Cairo, Ill, Mrs Frances Shelton, Rolland Evers, Mrs. Stelsa Bryant of Metropolis, Mrs. Vivienne Bundy of Milwaukee, Wis, Helen Evers of St. Louis, Mo, L.T. Evers of the U.S. Navy, Rev. Joseph and Harriett Evers at home; eight grandchildren, one brother, Hubert Evers of Harvey, Ill; two sisters, Cynthia Lipperet of Grand Chain, Ill and Hattie Ferguson of Anna, Ill, and a host of other relatives and friends. At an
early age, he was converted and joined the Lower Salem Methodist Church. When he moved to Metropolis he transferred his membership to the First Methodist church of Metropolis, taking an active part until illness prevented his attendance. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 91 Gethsemane Commandery of Knights Templar No. 41. He served a number of years as Districh Deputy Grand Master of the 98th District of Illinois. He was also a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge. Mr Evers taught in the rural schools for sixteen years and served as County Superintendent of School nearly twenty-one years. In spite of physical disabilities, he was able with the help of his devoted wife, to fufill the duties of his office to the end of his term. The last years of his life were spent at his home. Always cheerful and uncomplaining, taking an interest in and enjoying life until the end. Funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the First Methodist church, Rev. E.M. Dycus, officiating. Burial was made in the Masonic Cemetery.

TRIBUTE BY A FRIEND
For almost 36 years Mr. Evers served the public schools of Massac County, 16 years as a teacher and 20 years and 7 months as County Superintendent of Schools. He was elected to that office five times. As a teacher he was efficient, earnest and sincere. As County Superintendent of Schools he was faithful to every duty. His office hours, as announced on his office stationary, were "Any time, day or night," "that school matters demand attention." That he was five times chosen to responsible office of Superintendent of Schools is a high tribute and expressed the confidence the people had in his ability and integrity. The affliction that finally caused his death was of many years duration. With grim determination and matchless courage, he carried on long after most men would have surrendered. When he could no longer use his right hand, he learned to write with his left hand. During the last years of his official career, his wife was a wonderful helper. Mrs. Evers won the admiration of all, for her devotion to her husband and the support she gave him in the discharge of his official duties. Probably no man in any capacity, touched and influenced the lives of more young people of Massac County, than did Luther L. Evers. He inspired many to strive for higher education and the attainment of honorable stations in life. He was a great inspiration to his own children, and today they have a higher regard for his advice and fatherly counsel than ever before. To his church and the fraternal orders to which he belonged he was devoted and loyal, and as long as possible he was constant in attendance. He was an adovate of all the highest and purest moral principles and his life supported his
preaching. He was always found on the right side of every social and moral issue. Though dead, his memory will live long in the minds and hearts of all who knew him.

Source: "Metropolis News" (Metropolis, Massac, Illinois, USA)
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Evers Family Held Reunion Last Sunday

The children and grandchildren of James A.L. Evers and their families, gathered at the home of County Superintendent L.L. Evers on Sunday afternoon, May 30th and had an enjoyable time visiting with each other. There were present: Mr. and Mrs Gus Lippert of Karnak, R. l, and their grandchildren, Loren and Winefred Lippert; Mrs Lucy Evers and sons, Virgil and Russell of Centralia, Mr. Hubert Evers of Harvey, Ill., and children Josephine and Charles; Mrs. Hattie Ferguson, of Cypress, and children James, Lyle and Lallah; Mr. and Mrs. John McIntyre of Grand Chain and daughters, Margaret and Mildred; Mrs. Clara Caraker of Jonesboro, Ill., and daughters, Virginia and Sue; Mrs. Orpha Pumphrey of Centralia; Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Ferguson of Grand Chain; Mr. and Mrs. George Racy of Cypress, and daughters, Barbara Jean and Wanda Lou; Mrs. Cynthia Bostick of Jacksonville, Ill., and sons, Jesse Jr., and Charles Huffman; Mr. and
Mrs. Calvin Shelton and daughter, MaryJim; Mr. and Mrs Rolland Evers, and daughter Cynthia Sue, George Louis Meyer of Metropolis, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Foss of McNoel; and the immediate family, Luther, Nellie, L.T., Joe, Harriett, and Grandma Travillian (?Trovillion).

Source: "The Republican Hearld" Wednesday, June 2, 1937
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The Last Will & Testament of Luther L. Evers

Know All Men By These Presents:
That in addition to all other rights, privileges and benefits conferred upon widows by the Stautes of Illinois, it is my will that my beloved wife, Nellie Trovillion Evers shall receive my homestead free of debt at my death, because shee has seven hundred dollars ($700.00) of her own money in the property, and for the further reason that she has cared for me during the latter part of my life as an invalid, and of necessity waiting on me day and night as though I were a baby, doing things for me that no body else in the world would do. It is further my will that my children share and share alike in the other little property that I have on hand at my death. It is further my will that the court do appoint my wife, Nellie T. Evers, as executrix of my will without bon. Luther L. Evers

Signed by Lurther L. Evers in our presents and by us in the presents of each other. Witnesses : Harry Wrght & Levi C. Miller

Personally appeared before me this day, Luther L. Evers, Harry Wright and Levi C. Miller and ackknowledged their signatures, for the uses and purposes herein set forth, Luther L. Evers as principal or maker of this Will and Harry Wright and Levi C. Miller as witnesses to his signature.

Jean W. Smith Notary Public
Dated at Metropolis, Illinois, this sixth day of September A.D. 1939 Filed June 25, 1945 E.J. Mittendorf County Clerk

  Birth Notes:

Rd. District #6

  Christening Notes:

Baptized by: Volney Cicero Evers

  Life Events:

1. Census, 29 Apr 1910, Hillerman, Massac, Illinois, USA. ¹⁸⁵⁴

2. Occupation: School Superintendent & Farmer: Massac County, Illinois, USA. ¹⁸⁵⁴

3. Church Affiliation: Methodist. ¹⁸⁵⁴

4. Organization: Freemason. ¹⁸⁵⁴ Masonic Lodge No. 91 Gethsemane Commandery of Knights Templar No. 41

Luther married Ethel Mary Bayless on 6 Sep 1905 in Pulaski County, Illinois, USA.¹¹⁴⁶ (Ethel Mary Bayless was born on 3 Feb 1884 in Pulaski County, Illinois, USA,¹¹⁴⁶ died on 14 Aug 1922 in Massac County, Illinois, USA ¹¹⁴⁶ and was buried in Masonic Cemetery (Metropolis, Massac, Illinois, USA) ¹⁸⁵⁴.). The cause of her death was Uterine Hemmorrhage (Placenta Previa).¹⁸⁵⁴

  Marriage Notes:

Married in bride's home
Presiding: Lewis Jones, Minister ¹¹⁴⁶

Luther next married Nellie H. Trovillion on 7 Oct 1923 in Goreville, Johnson, Illinois, USA.¹¹⁴⁶ (Nellie H. Trovillion was born on 20 Feb 1883 in Sandburn, Johnson, Illinois, USA,¹¹⁴⁶ died on 13 Jun 1966 in Metropolis, Massac, Illinois, USA ¹¹⁴⁶ and was buried on 16 Jun 1966 in Masonic Cemetery (Metropolis, Massac, Illinois, USA) ¹⁸⁵⁴.). The cause of her death was Cerebral Thrombosis; General Arteriosclerosis-10 years.¹⁸⁵⁴

  Marriage Notes:

This was the 2nd marriage for Luther, but the first for Nellie. Luther's occupation was County Superintendent of Schools and Nellie was a school teacher. Luther resided in Metropolis, Nellie listed her residence in Goreville. Their witnesses were Lynn Trovillion and Frances Evers and married by Homer Martin. Their race was listed as aryan. ¹⁸⁵⁴