Following a lengthy illness, the loving spirit of Elaine Belk Brinson Evans, 71, departed this life at Jefferson Hospital in Louisville, on Saturday, Jan. 2, surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at the Bartow United Methodist Church in Bartow on Tuesday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. David Boggs and Rev. Franklin Sasser officiating. Internment services will follow at the Brinson Family Cemetery on Swainsboro-Canoochee Road near Canoochee.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation at the Bartow United Methodist Church from 6 – 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 4.

Born and reared in Twin City, she was the loving daughter of the late Pauline Belk and Benjamin Lewis Brinson. She attended Emanuel County Institute and graduated as the valedictorian of the Class of 1962. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, and graduated from the University of Georgia in Athens with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music. While at the University, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta social sorority, the Georgia Singers, Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity and Pi Kappa Phi honorary society.

After her marriage to Wiley Clark Evans, III, she moved to Bartow where she resided for the remainder of her life. She worked briefly for the Jefferson County Department of Family and Children's Services as a social worker; after her children were born, she devoted her entire life to her family and home. Her children remember that she always sought the good in others and encouraged them to love everyone.

She was a devoted member of the Bartow United Methodist Church where she directed the choir, served as church music leader and taught Sunday School. She was also a soloist for the church and for special events such as weddings. She worked in the community and schools in numerous capacities and supported local groups and organizations with her time, talents, and resources. She was an avid gardener, bridge player and tennis player. She adored her children and grandchildren and they were the focus of her life.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years Wiley Clark Evans, III, and her children Wiley Clark Evans, IV (Chip) and his wife Gwen, Matthew Brinson Evans (Matt) and his wife Terrie, all of Bartow, and her daughter Paula Francis Evans Stallings and her husband Randy, of Douglas, GA, her grandchildren Wiley Clark Evans, V, Anlee Ray Evans, William Charles Hendricks, Jr., Matthew Brinson Evans, Jr., and Hampton Wiley Evans, all of Bartow, and Henry Lane Stallings of Douglas. Other survivors include two sisters-in-law Judith P. Brinson, of Alpharetta, and Jean Evans Dupree, of Swainsboro, a very special double first cousin Maryann Brinson Brown, of Twin City and a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother Benjamin Lewis Brinson, Jr., of Alpharetta, and her nephew Lane Edwards Brinson, of Perry.

Pallbearers will be her cousins Dolan Edward Brown, III, of Garfield, David Brinson Brown, of Statesboro, Mark Hendry Brown, of Garfield, her nephews Benjamin Lewis Brinson, III, of Dunwoody and Jonathan Belk Brinson, of Alpharetta, grandsons Wiley Clark Evans, V, William Charles Hendricks, Jr., and Matthew Brinson Evans, Jr., all of Bartow.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brinson Cemetery Association c/o Martha Ann Wells, 209 Long View Lane, Pickens, SC 29671 or to the Bartow United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 216, Bartow, GA 30413.

For further information, please contact Smith Funeral Home, Wadley, GA