Obituary of Alice F. Evans

Alice Frazer Evans, 83, an educator, author, and tireless advocate for human rights, died peacefully with her family by her side on May 3, 2023.

Alice was born on June 19, 1939, to Emmett and Mary Jane Frazer in Mobile, AL. Alice was proceeded in death by her husband the Reverend Dr. Robert Evans.

Alice received undergraduate degrees from Agnes Scott College and the University of Edinburgh and graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin and the Goethe Institute, Berlin. Along with Bob, Alice co-founded Plowshares Institute in Simsbury, CT, an organization dedicated to the cultivation of peace through the transformation of conflict. Together Bob and Alice formed a unique and dynamic partnership as devoted husband and wife, parents to three children, and work colleagues with a shared faith-based mission for peace and social justice through mediation. In recognition of their efforts for a peaceful end to apartheid in South Africa, Bob and Alice were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by members of the South African Parliament, with supporting letters from government and community leaders throughout the world. Alice led traveling seminars in Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and North America, authored and edited dozens of books, and was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including honorary Doctorates from Hartford Seminary and Makassar University, Indonesia. Alice was also a remarkable gardener and an accomplished underwater diver. Late in life Alice was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and participated in a pioneering study at the Yale Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit to help find a cure.

Alice was a loving sister, wife, mother, and grandmother and her loss will be felt deeply by individuals and communities both near and far. Alice is survived by her sister Carol Suffich (William) of Mobile, AL, her children Mellinda Yocum (George) of Devon, PA, Judith Evans Smith of New York, NY, and Allen Evans (Heidi) of Bend, OR. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Zachary Yocum, Samantha Yocum, William Yocum, Evan Smith, Jackson Smith, and Tucker Evans.

Her sister, Jane Bledsoe (James) of Mobile, AL, preceded her in death.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on August 26, 2023, at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 217 Berkley Rd. Devon, PA.

The service will be live streamed at stjohnsdevon.com. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Alice’s memory with contributions to a charity of one’s choice that supports education, human rights, or the environment.