Obituary of Gratha Mae Evans

Gratha M. Evans, 88, of Niles, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at West Woods of Niles. She was born on July 25, 1933 in Winston County, Alabama to the late Boyd and Angie (Gann) Tittle. Gratha married Harold Bolin in 1951 and the marriage ended 17 years later. She re-married to Henry Evans in 1973. She was a wonderful homemaker and always looked forward to spending time with her family. Gratha was a lady of devout faith, and lived a Christian life each day. When Gratha was young she taught herself to play many different musical instruments. Gratha and a cousin, were regularly featured on a local Alabama radio show called Hallelujah Square in the late 40’s. Gratha and siblings (Hazel, Nellie and Brody) formed a gospel band and performed for many of the local churches in the Michiana area off and on in the late seventies, eighties, and even into the nineties. You could always find Gratha playing piano or organ for church services from early in her life until near the end. The most recent church she had adopted as her own was “New Beginnings” in Niles. She also performed privately with different counterparts in various churches and local nursing homes, up until as recently as 2018. Gratha was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Henry Evans; a daughter, Cindy Laurita and her siblings, Odrus, Orbie, Brody, Oaklus Tittle and Hazel Whitaker. She is survived by her children, David (Kelly) Bolin of Dowagiac, Harold Bolin of South Bend, Trecia Bowerman of Niles and Shirley Schultz of South Bend; fifteen grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; a sister, Nellie Akers of Niles and a son-in-law, Kenneth Laurita of Niles. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 18, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Niles with Pastor Raymond L. Massey officiating. A time of visitation will begin also on Friday at 12:00 p.m. An interment will follow the service at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made in Gratha’s memory to New Beginnings Ministries 1256 E. Main Street, Niles, Michigan 49120. Memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Niles. Gratha will be fondly remembered for her love and devotion to Christ and family.