Mildred Sheffield Evans

Mildred Sheffield Evans, 94, of Valdosta, Georgia passed away peacefully at The Canopy at Azalea Grove assisted living home on December 18, 2021, knowing that she would soon be with her Lord and reunited with those she loved who had passed before her. In the book A Mosaic of People and Events, a history of Valdosta State University, author Michael Black described her as “a gentle lady who touched the hearts of many students at VSC.”
Mildred was the daughter of the late John C. and Elsie Daugharty Sheffield of Valdosta. She was born in Howell, Georgia on February 7, 1927, but grew up and attended elementary school in Fargo, Georgia right down the road from the Okefenokee Swamp. Though remote, most of her Daugharty kin lived and prospered nearby. Her father, a railroad man, moved the family to Valdosta in the early 1940s, where Mildred graduated from Valdosta High School in 1944.
During the latter part of World War II, E. J. (Jack) Evans, a decorated naval aviator from New Jersey, visited Valdosta with a friend while stationed in Jacksonville, Florida. He met Mildred at McCrory’s five and dime on Patterson St. Jack vowed that he would never go back north, except to visit, and they were married on Christmas Day of 1945, almost fifty-five years before he passed away in 1999. She and Jack became two of the first members of the Messiah Lutheran Church where Mildred was involved in the Missionary League, Sunday School and youth activities when her children, Linda and Harry, were born. At her death Mildred was the longest serving member of Messiah Lutheran Church.
Mildred graduated from the Georgia-Florida Commercial College on West Central Avenue where she learned the lost art of shorthand. When her children reached school age, Mildred applied for a part-time secretarial position in the Education Department at Valdosta State College. She was hired in 1956 because she could take dictation with her skill in shorthand. This began a thirty-year career at what would become Valdosta State University where she continued her education by taking courses as time permitted. In the early years President Ralph Thaxton would often call her away from her duties in the Education Department to work in his office. She worked in the Business Office for many years before transferring to Student Affairs in 1977 to be secretary to the Dean of Students Andrew Bond, and later, Ken Ferrell. The aspect of the job she cherished most was the relationships she developed with the students. Mildred retired from the position of Administrative Secretary in 1986.
Mildred participated in the founding of the Valdosta Educators Credit Union, being one of the original eight subscribers (and only female) to the Petition of Incorporation in 1972. She was a member of the Amaryllis Garden Club, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Business Women’s League and the Literary Guild. After retirement she was involved with Meals on Wheels and tax preparation for the elderly.
Mildred is survived by her daughter Linda Douglas and son-in-law Danny Douglas of Dunnellon, Florida, grandsons and their wives Michael and Amy Douglas, Andy and Jennifer Douglas, grandson Bill Bare, and great granddaughter Aurelia Douglas, daughter of Michael and Amy. Mildred is also survived by her son Harry Evans, grandson and wife Brad and Marissa Evans, granddaughters and husbands Suzanne and Topher Jensen, and Carrie and Justin Winn, along with great grandchildren Alex and Elise Evans, Max Jensen, Maggie and Brad Winn. Mildred’s surviving sisters and brothers are Emma Lou McConnell, Geneva Taylor, Sue Austin (Steve) and Paul Sheffield. Her oldest brother, J. C. Sheffield and brothers-in-law Joe McConnell and Bob Taylor preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Mrs. Evans will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel, with Pastor Frank Kinast officiating. Interment will follow in the cemetery. The family will be at the Messiah Lutheran Church prior to the service and will arrive at the McLane Riverview Mausoleum Chapel at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to Messiah Lutheran Church, 500 Baytree Road, Valdosta, GA 31602 or the Lowndes County Historical Society, P. O. Box 56, Valdosta, GA 31603-0056. Condolences may be made online on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home.