Mrs. Gladys B. Jasper-Evans

****ATTENTION FAMILY & FRIENDS: FIRST UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH IS HOSTING A MUSICAL LIFE & LEGACY CELEBRATION SERVICE, WITH THE FAMILY OF MRS. GLADYS B. JASPER-EVANS. _______________________________ ****PLEASE NOTE CORRECTION TO IN LIEU OF FLOWERS INFORMATION: ***** IN LIEU OF FLOWERS OR GIFT CARDS, THE FAMILY REQUESTS SENDING MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS INSTEAD. THESE ARE THE TWO OPTIONS: MR. ARTHUR L. EVANS, III P.O. BOX 19191 Kalamazoo, Michigan 49019 or Cash App: $ArthurLEvans *****The Family would like to thank you for your expressed sympathy, concerns, prayers, calls, texts, visits, social media posts and gifts of love! ______________________________ *****PLEASE NOTE: WHEN ENTERING THE CHURCH: MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE STILL REQUIRED. THE CHURCH WILL PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER WHEN ENTERING THE BUILDING. _____________________________ THE OBITUARY Mrs. Gladys B. Jasper-Evans was born December 29, 1949, in Marvell, Arkansas, to Ms. Mary Lee Scaife and the late Mr. Elacy Jasper Sr. She was the fourth of 11 children. Gladys lived in Marvell, Arkansas until the age of 19. She moved to St. Louis, MO, in 1967, with her Uncle Milton and Aunt Ira Lee. Shortly after relocating, Gladys met the love of her life, Rev. Arthur L. Evans III, on May 5, 1969, they united in holy matrimony. Together they shared four beautiful children. In February of 1973, Gladys and Arthur decided to put down roots in Kalamazoo, MI with their children. Gladys was employed for over 20 years as an Assembly Operator at a local automotive supplier of automotive interior systems. Gladys never met a stranger, and she left a mark on everyone she encountered. She was endowed with many talents: seamstress, upholsterer, interior decorator, comedian, and widely known for her anointed voice to sing the gospel. Gladys has ministered in song with various gospel artists, graced the stage in civic plays, served on the senior dance ministry, and was an often sought out soloist for funerals throughout the community. Gladys was a passionate and faithful member of Second Baptist and attended First United Baptist Church, singing with both choirs, supporting community events in the Kalamazoo area. Family was very important to Gladys. She loved spending time with her husband, Arthur traveling to different places, shopping at thrift shops or yard and estate sales. They would also enjoy each other’s company dining at the Golden Corral in Mishawaka. Gladys loved her children, especially her grandchildren and helped in raising them. She was known to go over and above in giving of her time, etc. because of the caring, giving spirit about her. Gladys was also a master of provision—she was someone who could take a little and make a lot. She was well respected for this gift. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Gladys graduated to heaven on Saturday, November 5, 2022. She was preceded in death by her father, Elacy Jasper Sr., step-father, (Ulysses Scaife) and two brothers Ben Jasper and his wife, Patricia who also preceded her in death, along with brother, Elacy “Jimmy” Jasper Jr. and sister-in-law Jacqueline Scaife. She leaves to cherish her memory, her loving husband of 53 years, Arthur L. Evans III; her mother Mary Lee Scaife; four loving children, Minister Stephanie Prevo (Dexter), Avery Evans, and Arthur Evans Jr. (Candace Allan) of Kalamazoo, MI; and Nicole Williams (Willie) of Hope Mills, NC; eight siblings, Alma O’Neal (the late Arizona O'Neal Sr.), Valerie Alexander, Sheila Crawford, Senthia Sims (Kevin), Shirley Baker (Anthony), Vernon Jasper (Vanita), James Scaife (Yvonne), and Monique “Pistol” Scaife; mother-in-law, Alberta Wilson, sister-in-laws, Pamela Jones (Eddie), Towanda Wilson and Lisa Wilson all of St. Louis, MO; and sister-in-law, Ann Jasper; brother-in-law, George Wilson (Darcel) of Boston, MA; 13 grandchildren, Jarriel Prevo, Chardae Prevo, Niquay Evans, Shakia Evans, Brittany Robinson, Ar’marrion Evans, Taelore Evans, Calisa Evans, Catrell Woods, Kamyia Evans, Deon Burnett, Darrion Pulliam, and Courtney Williams, eight great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Gladys B. Jasper-Evans

December 29, 1949 - November 5, 2022