Millie Jeanette (Wells) Evans passed away at home on April 17, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born in Fairmont, West Virginia, on March 29, 1939, to Rev. Harry D. and Clara Wells. She grew up in Fairmont until the family relocated to Akron. She attended Goodrich and Crosby Elementary Schools, and West and South High Schools, graduating in 1958.

As a teenager, she worked at the Western Drive-In, where she and her cousin Evelyn were the first two African Americans employed there. She later worked at Akron Towel. Millie left the workforce to become a full-time mom, caring for her three children, especially her handicapped son, Henry.

After placing her son Henry in Apple Creek, Millie returned to work at Miracle Mart, where she remained for several years until it closed. She then began working for the State of Ohio-first at Western Reserve Psychiatric (North Coast) Hospital, then Fallsview Psychiatric Hospital-retiring from Heartland Massillon State Hospital in 2001.

Upon retirement, she became active in her church, People’s Baptist Church. She was a member of the Senior Choir and Missionary Circle, and also participated in the kitchen ministry. Millie took an active role in raising her grandchildren, Tiffani and Ryan, and later helped with Dion and Mikhayah. Millie loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cherished spending time with family and watching the Cavaliers (with or without LeBron), the Browns, and Ohio State football.

Millie is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Harry and Clara Wells; brothers Warren Quives and Nathaniel Wells; sisters Margaret Turner, Beatrice Washington, and Shirley Dent; special cousin Evelyn Washington; and her “special son and her heart,” Henry Louis Evans Jr.

She leaves to cherish her memory her son David Evans and daughter Charlotte Andrews; grandchildren Tiffani Evans (DeShawn Stone), Ryan Evans, Dion Evans (Sitera), Mikhayah Evans, and Joseph Knight; great-grandchildren Mya and Isaiah Knight; brothers James (Donna) Wells and Roger (Barbara) Wells; and special daughters-in-love Andrea Evans and Erin Morris-Kabiya.

Special children close to her heart include Pastors Kevin and Barbara Andrews, Pastor Darrick and First Lady Stephanie Willis, Minister Larry and Sharnetta Bradshaw, Deacon Charles and Deaconess Gloria Preer, and Deacon Darryl and Valerie Cox.

Special thanks to her caregivers Andrea Evans, Mary Dent, and Kimberly Dampier.
Heartfelt thanks also to Crossroads Hospice, especially nurses Maya Davis and Adrienne Winn, and an extra special thank you to Mary Higginbotom, who lovingly cared for her through her final transition.