[1] Evans was born in Washington, D. C. Orphaned at an early age, she was raised by an aunt and uncle and educated in Chicago at Wendell Phillips High School.

Under her stewardship, the church paid its debts, refurbished its building, and in 1948 built a community center called Faith House which offered a health clinic, a gymnasium, food bank, and child care.

"[3] Evans was a strong supporter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and led successful membership drives at Cosmopolitan.

To some people, Evans was considered "mannish" in her appearance; but she was also referred to as a "motherly presence" at Cosmopolitan Church.

[7] Evans lived with teacher Harriet Kelley in Indianapolis, Indiana, and with Edna Cook during her early years in Chicago.