Clyde Edsel Evans
December 29, 1927 – April 21, 2025
Clyde Edsel Evans, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law, grandfather-in-law, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend to many, passed into the arms of his loving Savior on April 21, 2025 at the grand age of 97.
Dr. Evans, know more commonly as Clyde upon his retirement, was born December 29, 1927, in Arley, Alabama. He served his country in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean War.
Clyde’s boyhood farm life led to a lifelong love of watching things grow, which, in turn, led to a wonderful career. He earned a B.S. in Agriculture from Abilene Christian University, and advanced degrees from Auburn University and North Carolina State University. He was an employee of Auburn University in the Agronomy and Soils Department for 35 years and retired in 1992. His research efforts concentrated on soil fertility and fertilization of Agronomic and Horticultural crops. He was actively involved in the teaching program by serving on graduate committees and directing graduate students seeking their M.S. and PhD degrees. He also traveled, within his career and as a volunteer upon retirement, teaching and sharing his knowledge in several countries, including Moldova and China. He spent six months as a visiting professor in Chapingo, Mexico, and taught on two occasions at the International Christian University in Vienna, Austria.
Serving the Lord has been the foundation of Clyde’s life. He taught always in an humble way, as a servant. He and his wife, Martha, practiced hospitality, and have had hundreds of people in their home throughout the years and touched countless lives. He and Martha adopted many students during their years at Auburn and loved them all. They reached out to the international community as well, inviting over students far from their homes and making them feel welcome. Clyde was always content, rarely complaining; he showed the love of Christ to those around him in his sweet, steadfast way. He served as a deacon and then an elder in the Auburn Church of Christ, and served on the Board of Directors of the Auburn Christian Foundation.
Clyde was always interested in people and in life around him. He loved sports, especially when the athletes were wearing orange and blue and the fans were screaming “War Eagle,” and volunteered for the Auburn University Athletics Department as a member of the Athletic Director’s Club. He also volunteered at Callaway Gardens for many years. After retiring, he regularly went to Funchess Hall where he had worked to drink coffee and catch up with his former colleagues during coffee break time. He enjoyed meeting with the men at church for their weekly lunches. He kept a large vegetable garden and always had flowers growing for his wife Martha to enjoy.
Clyde especially loved spending time with his family. He made each member of his
family feel special and always had a kind word and smile for each. He raised his children well and they were blessed to have him as their father. He welcomed those his children and grandchildren married into his family and loved them all as well.
Clyde is survived by his wife, Martha McPherson Evans, his sons David Keith Evans (Carol) and James Douglas Evans (Mary), a daughter, Deborah Brown (Nathan), six grandchildren, Keith Evans (Kathryn), Hillary Evans, Christa Hudalla (Billy), James Brown (Roxi), Mary Haney (Nick), Jincy Jennings (Matthew), numerous great grandchildren, and a brother, VC Evans. Clyde was married to the love of his life, Martha, for 73 years.
The family will host a Memorial Service on Friday, April 25 at Central Church of Christ (407 Clinton Ave E, Huntsville, AL 35801). Please park in the south parking lot across the street from the main building. Visitation will be from 12:30-1:30 with the service following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Auburn Christian Student Center.