Evelyn Q Hillsman

Evelyn Q. Hillsman, affectionately known to many as “Nana” was born to Walter and Evelyn Quarles on February 4, 1932 in Birmingham, Alabama. Evelyn married Daniel Hillsman on September 5, 1970 in Chicago, Illinois. This union brought together Evelyn and Daniel’s children, Patricia, Travissteen, Denise, and Daniel, Jr. As the years passed, Evelyn and Daniel would see their family grow. One of the many highlights for them were the annual family dinners and family picnics to which Nana would say at the end of every event, “This is the last one”.After working several years at Official Airline Guides in Oakbrook, Illinois, Evelyn and Daniel moved from the Chicagoland area to South Carolina in 2000. Though this was a big change for her, she supported her husband’s desire to be “in the country” as she would call it.

Evelyn began studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses in the mid 1970s with Brother and Sister Lonnie Johnson in Maywood, Illinois. On July 2, 1983, she symbolized her dedication by water baptism. Since her baptism, Evelyn proved to be a faithful servant of Jehovah. She enjoyed attending her Christian meetings and engaging in all forms of the field ministry when she attended the Maywood West and Broadview Congregations in Illinois. When she relocated to South Carolina, she continued to be an active publisher in the Hodges Congregation as well as the Abbeville Congregation. Even during her final days, Evelyn made sure to talk about her “Wonderful God, Jehovah” to the nurses that would check on her at her home.

Evelyn always made sure she was prepared for and arrived early to her Christian meetings. When she was able, Evelyn would volunteer to help clean the Kingdom Hall and Assembly Hall, prepare meals for gatherings or anything else she could do to help her Christian brothers and sisters. Throughout the years, Evelyn developed and cherished many close relationships with those in the congregation no matter where she lived.

Evelyn will be remembered for her love of Jehovah, her kindness, sense of humor, generosity, and her love for Oreo Cookies and Flaming Hot Cheetos. Whenever you visited her and Daniel, you never left their home without a full stomach, a “goodie bag” and a few dollars for the road. She enjoyed crafts, assembling floral arrangements, doing “word-finds” and watching shows like Andy Griffin, Bonanza and Matlock. Evelyn warmly accepted many into her home and her life; many of them who considered and referred to her as “Nana”.

Evelyn leaves to cherish her memory, her husband Daniel, Sr.; her daughter Patricia, her step-children which she loved as though they were her own: Travissteen, Denise (Joey), and Daniel, Jr. (Claudia); Grandchildren: Keith, Marvina, Robert, Jennifer, Marvin II, Charles, Quennetta, Latrice, Marcus, Stevie, Joey, Jr., Elizabeth, Curtis, D’Juan, Daniel III, Raphael, Gabriel, Michael, Mekeda, and Tameka; 32 great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

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