Evelyn C. Lindsey

Sunrise May 2, 1938 – Sunset December 29, 2020

Isaiah 43:1 “Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.”

Evelyn passed peacefully from this life in the early morning of December 29, 2020.  She was supported by her loving husband during the last moments of her life.  Evelyn was born May 2, 1938 in Villa Ridge, Illinois to the late James L. Chandler and Addie (Joplin) Chandler.  She was Born Again in 1981 after accepting Jesus Christ as Her Lord and Savior.

She grew up in East Chicago, Indiana and after completing high school, joined the United States Navy, reported to Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Maryland where she completed Basic Training and Nurse Corps Training School.  While there, she met her future husband, Kenneth Lindsey whom she would wed on March 9, 1957.  In 1976, Evelyn earned a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Norfolk State University.

Evelyn left Active Duty to take on the “Toughest Job in the Navy”, becoming a Navy Wife.  Soon after marriage, they started a family that would grow to include 5 boys.  She was a devoted, hands-on mother with a mind set on ensuring that she would raise sons that would grow into educated, upstanding leaders as adults.

In 1976, Evelyn acquired a private pre-school, which she named, The Rainbow of Education.  She impacted many children and their parents with her love of education, caring for people, and a good dose of discipline (a skill which she developed while raising her 5 sons).  11 years later these same skills, knowledge, and experience would be utilized by the Portsmouth Public School System, where she continued her career as an educator until retiring in 2020.  She was loved and admired by the staff, fellow teachers, and parents for her God-given talent that allowed her to work with students that others had given up on and to help to realize their potential.  She was known for bringing Christ and the Bible back into public education.

In 1981 the Lord led Evelyn to join Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Virginia.  There she surrendered her life to Christ and received His wonderful gift of Salvation.  She grew into a spiritual leader and Deaconess as she embraced the “Great Commission” to carry the Gospel to the lost, the lowly, the forgotten, the hopeless, and the poor.  She created many outreach missions to her extended family, friends and neighbors that helped them come into a true relationship with Jesus Christ.

Evelyn was a fearless community leader in the schools, churches, and in her communities as she became a mother figure, neighbor, and friend to all who needed one.  She was a disciplinarian where there was chaos, and a financial shoulder to those who fell upon difficult times.  She gave tirelessly to the cities of Portsmouth and Suffolk for many years.  She loved, supported, and inspired students, faculty, and administrators in every school that she served, and always positioned Christ front and center, risking her job security in the process.  She spearheaded a faith movement wherever she happened to be, reminding others that they were loved by God and that fear and hesitation was a waste of precious time.  In her service to the Lord, she strived to include Kenneth, their sons, and their families, whom she consistently lifted up in prayer, encouraged in God’s Word, and poured out a growing love on each of them.

Evelyn is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth Sr., and their 5 sons: Kenneth Jr. (Valerie) of Sarasota, FL, Christopher of Chesapeake, VA, Abutan (Kimberly) of Louisville, KY, Dwayne (Adele) of Corpus Christi, TX, and Keon (Shawnda) of Ashburn, VA, as well as 13 grandchildren:  Nicole, Caleb, Anastasia, Shaun, Sarah, Brooke, Rebecca, Darcie, Kyle, Alexis, Nydalynn, Laura, and Keon Jr.; 8 great-grandchildren: Roman, Camden, Carter, Solomon, Abigail, Audrey, Autumn and Wrenlie; 1 sister Lowreatha Milligan of Gary IN; and a host of nieces, nephews.  Evelyn was pre-deceased by her sister Dorothy Terry, brother Lowell Chandler, and sister Beverly Chandler.