Melvin Paul Evans

Melvin Paul Evans, 83 of Bessemer, AL passed away on February 28th surrounded by his loving family. Melvin (Mel) was born in Cullman, AL on June 19th, 1940, to Willie and Irene Mae Evans. He had fond memories of growing up on a farm and learned the necessity of a hard work ethic. He moved to West End, AL at twelve years old where he quickly made new friends that lasted a lifetime. At the age of 18, he joined the Marine Corp where he wanted to be a mechanic like his father. The Corp had a different plan when he scored high on the math test, and they instructed him that he would be working with computers. He had no idea what a computer was, but followed instructions as ordered. He would be stationed in Philadelphia, PA where he met a South Philly girl, Kathleen Tesauro who would become his bride of 59 years and they would have three children. They moved to Birmingham, AL in 1965 and he would begin a 34-year career working for Alabama Power/Southern Company as a programmer and eventually as a manager. He enjoyed outdoor activities of fishing and hunting; he wouldn’t always bring back something from the days event but just loved being in the outdoors. He shared the passion that his father had for working on cars. He would bring many vehicles home on a trailer and soon they would be seen up and down the road. He had the skill to make unique items out of wood, and truly enjoyed giving them as gifts and seeing the joy and excitement from the recipient. He loved to travel and picked up the gift for taking photographs. If you were ever at an event or gathering with Mel, you would surely end up in the focus of his lens. Soon after the event, you would receive a CD of the photographs that he had put together with music. He truly had a passion for enjoying life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen Evans of 59 years; sister Francis Thomas; and brother William Buckner. Father to daughter Karen Sanders; son Jeffrey (Glenda) Evans; daughter Dana (Chris) Drake. Grandad to Joey Sanders; Shelby (Ryan) Ware and Stephen (Diana) Mixson. He had four great grandchildren Kali Sanders, Blake Sanders, Hadley Ware, and Laney Ware. Sister Myra Davis; brother Pat Buckner (Rhonda) and many nieces and nephews. Mass will be held on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Aloysius Church. After Mass there will be a burial at Elmwood Cemetery - 600 Martin Luther King Jr Dr, Birmingham, AL 35211 Lot 45. Family will receive friends from 10:00 AM till service time at the church. Father Reju will be officiating the service. A reception will follow at Shady Grove Baptist Church- 4644 Lacey’s Chapel Loop Rd, Bessemer, AL 35022. Donations can be made in his honor to: St. Aloysius Church -751 Academy Dr, Bessemer, AL 35022 www.staloysiuscc.org The American Heart Association www.heart.org

Melvin Paul Evans

June 19, 1940 - February 28, 2024