Evelyn Sylvia Hall

EVELYN SYLVIA HALL He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  Psalm 91: Verse 1.   Mrs. Evelyn Sylvia Hall (Mama, Evie, Miss Evelyn) was born in Westmoreland, Jamaica, on January 23, 1930.  Being the first born of thirteen children, she brought joy to the home of Edward and Vivian Ramsay.  On Wednesday, June 29, 2017, from her loving home, she entered Heaven’s gates to be with her Lord and Savior.   Evelyn had six siblings who preceded her in death.  She attended St. Leonard’s School and Church.  She was raised by her Aunt Lillian Anglin, who she affectionately called Aunt Lil, in Montego Bay.  She moved to Kingston, Jamaica, with her Aunt Lil.  She later moved and lived with her sister Ivette, with whom she had a very close relationship.   While in Kingston, Evelyn attended Kingston Technical School where she majored in Home Economics.  She also pursued her passion of Pastry-making.  During that time, she would frequently visit her cousin Ivel Ramsay in Rockfort, who taught her dressmaking (Seamstress), and crafts.  She made a living by designing straw baskets and crafts, which she sold to the local craft market.  Throughout the years after her husband’s passing, she has performed as a Nurse’s Aide.                                                                                                                     A consummate mother and homemaker, fondly referred to as “Mama”, Evelyn was perceived as the “guardian angel” of many of the neighborhood children, who considered her their mama.  She enjoyed preparing delicious meals for everyone, and she had this gift of preparing a very unusual and delicious meal with the little ingredients which she had, and, when asked about the meal, she would say, in her Jamaican Patois, “Yuh have to tun yuh han’ and mek fashion.”    Evelyn had a strong Christian upbringing in the Baptist Church where her paternal grandfather worshiped.  She loved books, and was an avid reader.  Oftentimes she reminisced on the fact that the Bible was her main book to read, and, under the watchful eyes of her grandfather, she had to read a chapter or two to him, prior to bedtime each night.  She had an unwavering faith in God, as she was taught by her grandfather.  She always imparted words of wisdom to her children and everyone she encountered.  Those who knew her can recall her distinct voice saying, “put God first in all things”.    Evelyn bore three beautiful children, Patrick, Courtney, and Delroy, from her initial relationship.  She was united in holy matrimony, to the love of her life, Harold Fernandez Hall, at the Mona Heights Church of Christ in Kingston, Jamaica.  He preceded her in death in 1981.  The union produced six beautiful children, David, Maxine, Judith, Norman, John, and Joy.  A woman of wisdom and immense strength, when asked how she was able to raise so many children (after losing her beloved husband so early in life), she would calmly respond, “Only the Mercies of God”, and would constantly but firmly inculcate that “Each one helps one.”    Evelyn migrated to the United States in 1987, where she lived in Georgia with her sister Joyce, for a short period of time, then moved to Miami, Florida, to live with her sister Ivette.  She became a member of the Centerville Church of God of Prophecy, under the late Bishop Henry Adderley.  She later moved to Fort Lauderdale, where she attended, and worshiped at The Faith Center.    One of Evelyn’s favorite bible verses is found in Psalm 121:  “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved:  he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is they keeper:  the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.  The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.”   Evelyn Sylvia Hall is survived by her nine children, twenty-one grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, four sisters, three brothers, nieces, nephews, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, and numerous friends.  Evelyn’s legacy lives on, and she will be greatly missed.