Evelyn Jane Perrin Underwood was born in McCormick, South Carolina, on January 26, 1926, to Callie Lynn and James George Perrin. Evelyn's mother was Creole and had roots in Louisiana. Her father owned an automobile and land and was the proprietor of more than one business. Her parents were affluent, to be black people living in the south at that time, though plenty of racism was directed their way. Her father was the son of former slaves who'd gifted him with a sound work ethic and raised him, and his siblings, according to their belief in the Almighty God.

Evelyn's grandmother, Phoebe Ann Perrin, was born a slave but died a free woman of more than 100 years. She was stern, smoked a corncob pipe and took no foolishness from anyone. Evelyn's grandfather, Benjamin Archie Perrin, was a man steeped in his belief in God. He and his sons helped build the first Shiloh African Methodist Episcopal Church in McCormick, South Carolina. The church was built of logs. Shiloh A.M.E. Church still exists today and Perrins and Siberts (our cousins) are still counted among its members, though the log cabin was replaced long ago.

Evelyn was the youngest of seven children. Her siblings, Mamie, Benjamin, Willie, Henry, James David and Talmadge are all deceased.

Evelyn's mother passed away in 1934 and her father passed away in 1937. She was sent to live with her Uncle Allen and Aunt Mabel Perrin i

Evelyn worked to make sure that her children were exposed to the best life possible. She was a member of a "Mother's Club"; a group of black women who took their children to plays, concerts, roller rinks, picnics, movies and museums. By Evelyn having long since accepted Christ as her savior, her children attended Sunday School and Junior Church from the very earliest age. She held weekly bible classes for her children at home (whether they liked it or not) and instilled the word of God into their hearts and provided the foundation and stay for their lives. Evelyn was a long-time member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Evanston, Illinois and frequently gave one-woman concerts there. She also taught Sunday school classes and organized and coached the Bethel youth in plays and concerts. She was a member of the Bethel Young Adult Guild (that turned into the Bethel Adult Guild as the members aged) and the Bethel Senior Choir. She was also a member of the Light Bearers. This multi church group included men and women of God who gave of their time to help those who sometimes could not help themselves. The Light Bearers provided care packages, gifts at Christmas and visited residents in nursing homes to spread the word of God and to insert some joy into their lives.

Charles and Evelyn Underwood left Evanston and moved to Fayetteville, Georgia in 2002. They attended several churches but chose Divine Faith Ministries International for membership. Although unable to be as church active as she had previously been, Evelyn still attended church, every Sunday, to praise and give thanks to her God. She also joined the church's Women in Action and continued to visit nursing home residents.

On March 27, 2006, Charles Underwood, Evelyn's husband of almost 62 years passed away. His earthly remains were brought "home" to Evanston, Illinois and he is, in the words of one of his favorite hymns, "resting easy over on the other shore". Evelyn was blessed to visit Israel in 2014 with Divine Faith church members. It turned out to be the fulfillment of a dream that she never realized she had, especially when she was baptized in the river Jordan.

Lastly, Evelyn Perrin Underwood was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great great grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend to many. Her life surely counted and will continue to count as her shadow will be cast across many generations. Her grandchildren called her "Granny" and would do anything for her as she so deeply touched their lives. It didn't hurt that she stuffed them with homemade yeast rolls AND apple pie AND an amazing chicken pie. And didn't spare the rod. She always made it known that no one's behind was sacred. Some of her grandchildren personally know of a box of switches that she kept under one of the beds in the house in Evanston. That box was a great deterrent to all types of foolishness!

Evelyn leaves to cherish her memory three children: Alan (Ida), Barry (Maria), and Lyn; a daughter in law Chandra (Michael deceased), 10 grandchildren; Jessica, Joe, Dion (LuFunya), Alan Charles (Meka), Natasha (Eris), Thomas, Jonathan, Mike II (Natasha), Chad, and Blake, twenty great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and

relatives.

Godspeed, Beloved. From each one of us, thank will be with you again.

n Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While living in Philadelphia, she was exposed to the city's rich cultural opportunities. "Miss" Emma, the sister of Mabel Perrin made sure that Evelyn took advantage of plays, opera and classical music. She joined "Mother" Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia and, having a strong and melodic alto voice, also joined the Bethel Melody Girls. She learned more about the black struggle and in particular the underground railroad. "Mother" Bethel had been a stop for runaway slaves traveling the underground railroad.

Evelyn was 17 years of age, in 1943, when she decided to visit her siblings who had migrated to Chicago and Evanston, Illinois. She knew that she would not return to Philadelphia to live. After arriving in Evanston, she found work as a seamstress. She rented rooms from a gentleman whose granddaughter would, in about thirty years, marry Evelyn's second eldest son. Evelyn joined Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church soon after arriving in Evanston. The Reverend Harry E. Johnson was Pastor. Evelyn also (almost immediately) met Charles Underwood. Charles was dapper, confident and sang tenor in the "Evening Stars" sextet; a locally popular gospel singing group. They "courted" between his singing tours of churches in the metropolitan Chicago area. Evelyn and Charles were married and lived in Evanston for most of their married lives. Charles had been blessed with a son (also named Charles) from a previous marriage who eventually married Janet Fowler and raised their three sons (Troy, Parrish and Kyle) in Chicago, Illinois.

Both Charles and Janet were teachers in the Chicago Public School System. Charles, Evelyn's stepson, rests in the arms of God along with his beloved wife Janet and Kyle, their youngest son.

Evelyn and Charles were blessed with five children; Russell, Alan, Charlyn, Michael and Barry. Both Russell and Michael predeceased her and now rest in the arms of the Lord.