Obituary of Ruth Evans

Ruth Evans (affectionately known as Ruby) was born in Pensacola, Florida on May 20, 1942, the youngest of seven children born to Margaret and Josh Adams.  She departed this life on Friday, June 16, 2023, after more than a yearlong battle with cancer; a battle she fought with unsurpassed determination, courage, strength, and dignity, just as she lived her life.

Ruth was primarily educated by the public school system of Detroit, Michigan. After high school, she attended the University of Michigan, and later, Trinity College. In the mid 1960’s, she met the love of her life, Edmund Evans.  They married in 1966, and settled in Somerset, NJ, where Ruth lived for over 50 years, until moving to Upper Deerfield, NJ to live with her daughter.  Her Somerset home served as the venue for multiple family gatherings and was the backdrop for many joyous family memories.  She had an immense love for her family, and frequently opened her home to family members who were in need.  Ruth was the center and strength of her immediate family.  She led with a hands-on approach and was heavily involved in all aspects of the lives of her children and grandchildren, providing effective guidance. 

She began her professional career at the Home News in New Brunswick, NJ, but later decided to pursue opportunities elsewhere. She was employed by the IBM Corporation until retirement.  Post- retirement, she began a second career with the Dow Jones Corporation in Princeton, NJ.  In other aspects of her life, Ruth was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ attending virtually each week.  In her earlier years, she and her sisters formed a gospel group known as “The Adams Sisters”.  She was also an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed day trips, movies, and spending time with the family she cherished. 

Ruth is predeceased by her parents, Margaret and Josh Adams, and her husband, Edmund Evans; four sisters, Louise Thompson, Loretta Williams, Marie Raynor and Margaret Bascome; two brothers, John L. Sr. and George Adams, and her longtime companion, Dennis Bethea

She leaves to mourn her passing, two daughters, Alesha (Norman Bernard) Knight and Elizabeth (Terrance) Jenkins; five granddaughters, Tania Moore, Kalynn (Brynden) Williams, Iyana Ashraf, Alexis Luke, and Jasmine Knight; one grandson, Terrance Jenkins Jr., and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.