George Bismarck Evans III of Pike Road, Alabama, died peacefully in his bed on December 15, 2023. The cause of death was related to a number of physical ailments he developed in recent years but kept private from family and friends so as not to burden them with his problems, choosing instead to remain cheerful and upbeat, always ready with a warm smile and enthusiastic greeting.

George discovered America February 1, 1951 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC, a town where he developed many lifelong friends who shared in his exuberant teenage adventures, most of them legal. After graduation from Myers Park High School he started a life in New England on Nantucket Island and in Maine, building a landscaping business and continuing to assemble a repertoire of stories that would captivate his more conventional friends for years. In the late 1970s he was lured back south by an opportunity to join his uncle in a family, wholesale grocery business in Montgomery, Alabama, where for many years he travelled the state serving their customers.

Montgomery became his home and place of rest where he met and courted Marilyn Heard, finally marrying her in 1982 and gaining his beloved son Thomas in the bargain. George and Marilyn had a second son, Andrew, in 1984, completing their family. The sale of the wholesale grocery business eventually led George into a number of other business pursuits including assisting Marilyn in her custom finishing and decorating practice, and a stint in grocery store management. Right before his death he had retired from 10 years at the Alabama Department of Mental Health, where he had served as a patient advocate offering loving, experienced support for others who struggled with addiction and mental health issues.

George’s enthusiasm, quick wit and open heart left a trail of friends wherever he went, and he became a favorite uncle, cousin and neighbor, sharing his love of music, gardening, cooking, basketball and backgammon with friends and family alike. His love of others also led him to become an active member of many community activities including Woodland Methodist Church, where he served on the Praise Team for many years; the Walk to Emmaus spiritual retreat developed by the United Methodist Church; Woodland Methodist Food Pantry; and Alcoholics Anonymous.

George is survived by his wife Marilyn Heard Evans; his sons Thomas Powell Eubanks (Kristy) and George Andrew Evans; his three grandsons Aason Andrew Evans, Aurey Ethan Evans and Parker Cornelius Eubanks; his sister Caroline Evans Moise of Atlanta; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws; as well as a host of friends. He was predeceased by his father George B. Evans, Jr. in 1982 and his mother Kathryn McClendon Evans in 2016.

A life cannot be summed up in a word, a paragraph or a page. Instead, George Evans’ life has been written in the hearts and minds of the legions who loved him, laughed with him and sometimes cried with him, but always and forever will remember him.

All are invited to an informal memorial for George Evans on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Woodland Methodist Church (4428 Wallahatchie Road, Pike Road, Alabama 36064):

* Visitation at 1:00 pm (CST)

* Service at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow.

Those interested in memorializing George’s life are encouraged to donate to Woodland Methodist Food Pantry (woodlandfoodpantry.org).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AlabamaHeritageFH.com for the Evans family.