Evelyn Blackman

September 18th, 1939 - July 11, 2026

Evelyn Blackman became an ancestor at the age of 86 on July 11, 2026 in Tuskegee, Alabama. Born Evelyn Tatum on September 18th, 1939 in Banks, Bradley County, Arkansas, she was one of seven children born to Willie Freeman Tatum and Tom Tatum. 

As the daughter of sharecroppers, Evelyn would recall spending many of her childhood days picking cotton, gathering wood, and growing crops like beans, corn, tomatoes, and watermelons. She attended Mt. Olive school, which she walked several miles to attend each day. She attended school up until the 11th grade, when she had to leave school to focus on supporting her family. She loved to attend church, where her father would preach and her mother would sing. She recalled hearing her mother’s beautiful voice singing her favorite songs, This Little Light of Mine and Amazing Grace. It was through this musical influence that Evelyn would grow a life long love of listening to gospel singing.

A woman of the Great Migration, Evelyn moved to Ohio as a young woman and worked as a domestic worker before settling in Los Angeles, California. It was here that she raised 4 children with her husband Edward Blackman: Steve Phifer, Edna (Edonna), Essie, and Edward. Throughout her life she continued to work as a domestic worker and childcare worker, and joined Disciple of Christ Church in Lynwood, California as an usher. In her elder years she would live in Los Vegas (NV), Columbus (GA), and Tuskegee (AL). In her final years of life she enjoyed listening to gospel music on her radio, Bible study with her sister Dorothy, watching television, eating fried fish and sweet potato pie, and phone calls with her granddaughters.

She is preceded in death by her parents Willie and Tom Tatum, late husband Edward Blackman, children Essie and Edward, siblings Marjorie Douglass, Lillian Harris, Euell Tatum, Hurley Tatum, Herman Tatum, Annie Mae Tatum, Elizabeth Woods, Willie Bea Neal, Mae Lee Tatum,and Casper Tatum. She is survived by sister Dorothy Henderson, children Steve Phifer and Edna (Edonna) Alexandria, grandchildren Nayo Jones, Kai Jones, Kimathi Alexandria, Erica, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren from sons Steve and Edward, nieces and nephews Dwayne Tatum, Tyrone Phifer, Archie Phifer, Kevin Phifer, Cora Phillip, Anne Bold, Ruthie and Jerry Jefferson, Carolyn Neal, and several friends in Tuskegee.

Evelyn Blackman lived a long life with many transitions in her life and society that she faced with a strong desire for self-determination and a faith that God would see her through. She will be loved and missed dearly by her loved ones.