Annie Evans

Reverend Annie Frank Evans, 81, a long time resident of Junction City, KS, entered eternal rest on Sunday, January 25, 2015, at Valley View Senior Life in Junction City. A Home Going service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at the Second Missionary Baptist Church in Junction City. A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday, February 2, at the Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home 805 Caroline Ave. in Junction City. Burial will follow the funeral service at Fort Riley Cemetery.
Ann was the oldest of four children born to Mattie (née Smith) and John W. Minitee, Sr. in 1933. "Sister," as her family would eventually call her, was wrapped and snuggled up to her mother by the time the midwife arrived for Ann's birth on March 5th in the small town of Fort Gaines, Georgia.
With a desire to move away from the segregated south, The Minitees joined the wave of black Southerners seeking new opportunities during the Second Great Migration and moved north to Newark, New Jersey.
It is in Newark that Ann was introduced to a tall, handsome soldier by the name of Augustus (Gus) Evans. They met through Gus' sister, Grace, while the young sergeant was on leave. After a long-distance courtship, Gus and Annie married. After Gus' multiple tours in Vietnam and receipt of his new orders, the Evans moved their young family to the Midwestern military base of Fort Riley, Kansas. As time passed, the Evans decided Junction City would be their home upon Gus' retirement from active duty. With the assistance of Ann, the Evans solidified their presence in the community by opening Evans Westside Grocery in Westwood. Additionally, under the leadership of Rev. Earl Holmes, Sr., they joined and were active members of Second Missionary Baptist Church.
It was here at Second Baptist where Annie moved into her destiny and began to flourish. She busied herself with numerous activities and served faithfully and diligently at the church. She was a member of the Matrons and Mission Circle and a great supporter of the Children and Youth Church School. She taught Vacation Bible School, served as a New Member's Class Teacher, and taught Bible Classes at nursing homes. She attended the weekly prayer meetings, often held prayer meetings in her home, and visited the sick and shut-in. She was the Vacation Bible School Director from 1977-1979; became a Deaconess in 1978; and in 1982, under the leadership of Rev. Walter Long, Ann accepted the Call to Ministry and was licensed to preach the Gospel of Christ. From 1983-1990 she was Head Church School Superintendent (Departmental); and from 1992-1995 she was the Children's Minister Chairperson (Christian Education). She and Gus were grateful and proud to own a home directly across the street from the church, allowing Rev. and Deacon Evans to be called upon whenever needed. It is also during this time period that Annie, with the support of Gus, worked her way to a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Ministry (in her 60's) from Manhattan Christian College in 1998.
During that same year, under the leadership of Rev. Tommy Long, Sr., she became the first female to be ordained at Second Missionary Baptist Church. Through Christ, Rev. Evans was more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37) and overcame the opposition and criticism to women serving in the clergy. Her courage and trust in God slowly but surely removed the barriers to women in the pulpit and paved the way for future clergywomen to follow. Inspired by her genuine spirit and energetic delivery, Rev. Evans was frequently invited to churches within Junction City and the Smoky Hill District to share God's message. And finally, from 1998-2005, she was the Church Administrative Assistant (in charge when Pastor was away).
For well over 20 years, Rev. Evans, served, assisted, prayed and, gave whenever and wherever she was needed. She truly found her joy in the Lord and served him by serving people.
In January 2000 Annie's life proceeded forward without her husband, leaving Rev. Evans to find comfort in God, gardening, and her beloved butter pecan ice cream. When time came where she could no longer live alone at home, she could be heard and will be remembered for humming and singing praises to God at Valley View.
To carry on the light of her presence, Rev. Evans will continue charge over her family which includes her younger brother, Rev. John (Vidal) Minitee, Jr. of Newark, New Jersey; children: Janice (Michael, Sr.) Redding of Junction City, Lydia (Tony) Douglas of Atlanta, Georgia, and Peter Evans of Manhattan.
She is carried on in spirit by her grandchildren: Miguel and Matthew Redding; ShaMecha, Camillion, and Kathryn-Amelia Simms; Petra Smith and Elijah Evans. And great-grandchildren: Miguel Redding, Alaya Rarrick, Gianna Redding, Alexis Gill, Mariah Redding, Marek Redding, and Tarrin Redding; Tatum Greule; Joshua Newsome, Johnathan Simms, and Sy'Ria Little.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Redding, Miguel Redding, Tim Hammond, Mark Turner, and Phillip Davis.