Lewisburg-Laura Janis Seams Evans, born Aug. 11, 1928, experienced Christian baptism in 1940, graduated from Bolling High School in 1947 and married July 23, 1954; she raised and reared her children and departed this life – Monday, Oct. 12, 2015.
A native of Lewisburg, Laura Janis Evans was dedicated to faith, family and friends. Of her faith, Laura Janis was disciplined by daily Christian devotionals, biblical readings and silent prayers. Through her devotional life, we came to know that it is our privileged duty to reverence God, recognize His constant presence and repent from our sins. Of friendship, she was loyal and loved her friends and especially Anna Jo Jones, Silva Garrison and Annie Andrews.
Her private devotion led to public worship. Laura Janis was a lifelong member of the historic Mount Tabor Baptist Church of Lewisburg. She served in nearly all areas of the church’s fellowship which includes choirs, usher boards, and culinary committees. In addition, she made children’s choir and baptismal robes and costumes for Sunday Church school plays. Mount Tabor’s custom is to observe Communion with unleavened bread. Among few others, Laura Janis was responsible for preparing Mount Tabor’s unleavened bread in order to observe this New Testament tradition. “Then came the day of Unleavened Bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed” (Luke 22:7). In brief, Laura Janis lived a contrite and a pious Christian life.
Of her family, Laura Janis married Lenwood Joseph Evans. Until her death parted them, they cleaved to each other (1954-2015), She understood her covenant commitment to holy matrimony. Reverend Robert J. Watson performed their marriage ceremony. It was this husband and wife example, we observed, respected and honored. Ephesians 5:28 admonishes us that “He who loves his wife loves himself’ and Ephesians 5:33 further supports this claim “…let each one of you love his wife as himself and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” Laura Janis Evans loved and respected her husband, kept her covenant promise to the Lord and also to her husband. They were married for 61 years and “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” and “This Mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32). As Apostle Paul teaches, Laura Janis Evans loved her faith, family and friends.
Laura Janis Seams Evans is survived by Lenwood Joseph Evans, her husband; Joseph Norman Evans (Patricia) her son, and April Janette Evans Gardner (Darryll) her daughter. Her grandchildren are Joshua Butch Gardner, Gabrielle Elizabeth Evans, Matthew Zacharias Evans and great-grand daughter, Kyrie Grace Gardner. Laura Janis Seams Evans is also survived by her brother, Millard Hugh Seams, and her devoted “sister-like” sisters-in-law, Amy Evans Hickman and Edith Evans Seams.
Preceding her in death is her brother, Harry Norman Seams and sisters, Mary Francis Seams Miller and Norma Jean Seams Brown.
Her nieces are Brenda Seams Brown (Elwood), Milletta Seams Burns (Michael), Ozella Gaye Brown, Joya Hickman Simpson (Maurice), Cheryl Seams Woods (Jerry), Pamela Brown Merchant (James) and Janice Brown Hubbard (Jeff), Octavia Hickman and Kathy Francis Miller Crawford (deceased).
Her nephews are John Hickman (Alice), Michael Seams (Francine), Kenneth Hickman (Gwendolyn), Earl Seams (Donna), George Brown. Jr., (Deborah), Christopher Hickman (Donna), Wesley Ricardo Seams (Patricia), Salim Mumin (Hanan), Donald Hickman (Tonia), Keith Seams (Janya), David Hickman (Alicia), Wallace Seams (Dawn), Perry Hickman, (Darlene), Stephon Brown, Gerald Seams (Susan), Professor Mark Hickman, and Daniel Sedans (Jennifer) and Harry Norman Seams, Jr. (deceased).
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg is in charge of arrangements. Please send online condolences by visiting www.WallaceandWallaceFH.com.