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DEKALB COUNTY, GA—On Saturday, Oct. 26, a crowd gathered to dedicate a community park in South DeKalb County, GA in honor of longtime civil rights activist John Evans, who in 1983 became the first black to serve on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.
Cheers and applause erupted as the former 36-acre DeKalb County Shoal Creek Park III was renamed the John Evans Legacy Park. The park, located at 3075 McAfee Road in unincorporated Decatur, includes a children’s playground and a creek in a beautiful, serene setting that pays homage to the Muscogee and Creek Indigenous Nations. The green space is one that community activist Barbara Mobley told those who attended the celebration now will be amplified by renaming the space in honor of a local trailblazer—John Evans.
“We stand here on this space that was once occupied by that nation. ..We say today, it takes on a better and important and personal new persona as the John Evans Legacy Park,” said Mobley.
Evans, 91, smiled as several speakers on the program hailed him as a champion, hero, and freedom fighter who dedicated his life to public service. In addition to serving on the Board of Commissioners, Evan was lauded for his work as a long-time leader of the DeKalb NAACP, and as a former player in the Negro Baseball League.
Several elected officials paid tributes and shared stories of how Evans impacted their lives, making DeKalb County a better place: Congressman Hank Johnson; DeKalb COO Zach Williams, who spoke on behalf of DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond, who could not attend due to a funeral; District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who is presiding officer of the DeKalb Board of Commissioners; District 6 Commissioner Ted Terry; and former District 3 Commissioner Larry Johnson; State Representatives Doreen Carter(D-93), Viola Davis(D-87) and Angela Moore(D-91); and State Sen. Gloria Butler(D-55).
Victoria L. Turner sang a musical tribute. The Rev. William E. Flippin, Sr., pastor of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church; and the Rev. Kenneth Samuel, pastor of Victory for the World Church, gave the invocation and benediction respectively.
Barbara Mobley acknowledged DeKalb CEO-Elect Lorraine Cochran-Johnson and Commissioner Ted Terry for their roles in helping to make the John Evans Legacy Park a reality.
Also in attendance were former Stonecrest City Council members Rob Turner and Jimmy Clanton, along with their wives, DeKalb School Board member Vicki Turner and DeKalb NAACP President Edwina Clanton; Former state legislator Randal Mangham; and Josie Dean, a community activist and long-time friend of Evans.
Many members of Evans’ family also attended the celebration. Daughter Malia Evans spoke on behalf of the family and thanked all who helped to make the celebration a success.
Videos and photos by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com
To view highlights of the John Evans Legacy Park Oct. 26, 2024: celebration, click below:
To view the full video of the John Evans Legacy Park Dedication, click below:
John Evans Legacy Park Dedication 10.26.2024
