Obituary of Earlene Evans

Earlene Evans was born on March 28, 1931, in Newark, NJ to the late Hershel and Annie Lee Rutledge. She was predeceased by her brothers Raymond and Clarence Rutledge, her sister, Vera Adkins, and her husband, James C. Evans.  Earlene was a graduate of West Side High School in Newark. After the birth of her six children, at the age of 42, she resumed her education by attending Essex County College and obtaining certification as a nurse. She worked in this field for a while and later as an aide for Newark Public Schools.

As a teenager, Earlene began attending church with her friend, Grace (Williams) McKnight. She was saved as a young adult and found a spiritual family under the leadership of Overseer Clarence Williams at Church of the Living God, Pillar and Foundation of Truth and later at St Paul Pentecostal Holiness Church. Serving in the church and always looking for opportunities to help those in need, she was an example for her children.

Earlene left Newark to care for ill husband in Virginia.  She wanted to continue the relationship with her grandchildren, so she would drive back up to NJ to have a bunch of them stay with her for a week each summer.  One group of girls, the other group would be the boys. Her adult grandchildren still look for a birthday card from her each year.  Earlene later returned to Newark permanently and found a church home at Zion Holy Church. Her new church family enveloped her with love, and she became the dear friend of Mother Flossie Cohen. Her work for the Lord continued as Evangelist Evans chaired the Nursing Home and Noonday Prayer ministries. Evangelist Evans was called “Mother Moses”, “Ma” or “Grandma” by many. Known for her quick wit and thoughtfulness, she was a source of encouragement to the young people in her church as well as those at Christian Antioch Church in Christ.

Earlene was a fun-loving traveler and an avid shopper, and by God’s grace, she lived life to the fullest even in her last days. She will be held in loving remembrance by two sons Shelton Moses of OH; Lionel Moses of NJ; four daughters Cheryl Moses and Karen Gordon (Christopher) of PA, Colette Moses and Bernadette Leake of NJ; 21 grandchildren and 28 great grands; 6 sisters-in-law, a longtime friend and spiritual sister, Lucinda White, a daughter she did not birth, Mary Ann Sawka, a god daughter, Mary Cohen- Williams (Mark); a nephew, Tony Adkins (Patrice) as well as many other family members and friends.  Though her presence will be missed, Earlene made it a priority to make many special memories that will last forever.