Virginia Elizabeth Evans

Virginia Grieco Evans of Avondale Estates died on June 21, 2018. Virginia was born in New York City on January 12, 1918. She met Tom, her husband, in New York City and they were married in October of 1941. In 1943 while expecting their first child, Tom was shipped out to the South Pacific. He asked Virginia to move south to Beaufort, South Carolina and live with his parents as he didn’t want his child born and raised in New York City. After his time in the service, Tom and his brothers visited several cities looking for the best place to open their first restaurant. They decided upon Atlanta and Evans Fine Food’s was opened and grew to four restaurants during their years in business.

After their youngest child started first grade, Virginia began her own college education enrolling in the first class at Dekalb College. She received an Associate’s degree with honors. She went on to obtain a BS in History with honors and two Master’s degrees in History and Education. She was a member of Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society. She worked full time in the Dekalb County School System from 1968 to 1983 when she retired from full time teaching. Following retirement, she was a substitute teacher and also taught children at a Shelter in Stone Mountain.

Virginia and her husband traveled extensively in Europe and the United States. She always said the best part of traveling was coming back to their home in Avondale Estates and their family and friends. She was an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where over the years she participated in the Bible Study classes, taught Sunday School, and was a member of the Altar Guild. She was also a member of the Avondale Women’s Club.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Evans, and son, Thomas Holland Evans. She is survived by her children: Ginna Evans of Avondale Estates, Georgia, Charles Evans (Lydia) of Atlanta Georgia, and Judge Orinda D. Evans (Roberts O. Bennett) of Atlanta, Georgia; four grandchildren: Wells C. Bennett (Debra) of Washington, DC, Elizabeth T. Bennett of Washington DC, Rose Evans of Lawrenceville, GA, and Isabelle Evans of Lawrenceville, GA; and three great grandchildren: Katerina Bennett of Washington, DC, Tessa Grady of Lawrenceville, Ga and Reid Bennett of Washington, DC.

A memorial service to celebrate Virginia’s wonderful life of 100 years will be held on Saturday July 28, 2018 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 515 East Ponce de Leon Avenue, Decatur, Georgia at 2:00 pm. The service will be followed by distribution of her ashes in the Chapel Garden where she will join her husband and son. Following the commendation of ashes the family will receive friends in the Parish Hall at a reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Music Fund or a favorite charity.