Funeral services for Mr. Cecil D. Evans will be conducted at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the New Chapel United Pentecostal Church with the Reverend Ken Hickman and the Reverend Floyd Odom officiating. Interment will follow in the New Chapel Cemetery. Mr. Evans, age 87, entered into the eternal rest of his Lord on Tuesday night, June 16, 2026, at his home. Saulters Moore Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at New Chapel United Pentecostal Church. Visitation will resume Saturday morning at 9:00 am until the hour of service.

Mr. Evans will be carried to his final rest by those honored to serve as pallbearers including Hunter Keen, Heath Keen, Trent Hannegan, Sean Mieras, Steve Richard, and Dewayne Moore. Tommy Gatwood, Thomas Hamilton, James Flowers, and Lance Davis will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Cecil D. Evans was born on May 5, 1939 in Covington, County, Mississippi to Troy and Eunice Sanford Evans and grew up in the Lone Star Community. Cecil completed his education at Collins High School, graduating in 1958. Shortly thereafter, he began working at Masonite in Laurel, Mississippi. On April 7, 1962, Cecil married Barbara Gatwood of the Granby Community in Prentiss. The couple's early years together were marked by the challenges of serving their country; just two months after their wedding, Cecil was drafted into the United States Army. During his three months at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, he trained as a medic—an experience that underscored his commitment to helping others.

Though military duties initially separated them, Cecil and Barbara remained steadfast. He rented an apartment in San Antonio while she joined him, and later, when Cecil was stationed at the Nike Missile Base in Byron, Georgia, he rented a small trailer on a farm and they reunited once again. During their time in Byron, their daughter Cecilia was born, adding joy to their young family.

After completing his two-year service in the Army, Cecil returned to Mississippi and embarked on a distinguished career at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula. Beginning in the Carpenter Apprentice Program, Cecil’s aptitude and leadership quickly elevated him to the position of Carpenter Supervisor in less than two years. Cecil and his family later moved to Grand Bay, Alabama, where he assisted his father, Reverend Troy Evans, in building a Pentecostal church.

In September 1987, Cecil moved his family back to Mississippi, where he took on the role of Operations Manager for the North Covington Water Association. He diligently served in this capacity until his retirement in June 2001. Mr. Evans was a faithful member of New Chapel United Pentecostal Church.

Cecil D. Evans leaves behind memories of a life well-lived: a man who honored his commitments to family, faith, and country with unwavering resolve. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Troy and Eunice Evans, and his brothers, Kenton Evans and T.L. Evans.

His memory will forever be cherished by his beloved wife of 64 years, Barbara “Cappy” Evans of Collins; daughter, Cecilia “Ceci” Keen (Rev. Lon) of Monticello; and sister-in-law, Gwendolyn Evans of Collins. The legacy of their Pawpaw will also live on through his grandsons, Hunter Keen (Lyndsey) of Collins, Heath Keen (Alicia) of Foxworth, and 5 great-great grandchildren, Ava, Sawyer, Myla, McKenley, and Kylie.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com