Evelyn Leona Jackson Foster was born February 4, 1926, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Anna Jackson and Vernon Saunders. Her mother passed away while Evelyn was still a small child. As such, she was raised by her grandparents, Ida and Edward Jackson, along with her Aunt Laura. During the Great Depression, the family migrated to New York, where she attended elementary school at PS 98 in Douglaston, NY. She then attended Bayside High School but after moving to Corona, Queens transferred and graduated from Flushing High School in 1944. This is where she met Joseph Shands, and they were married in 1947. From this union, two sons were born, Phillip and Timothy. Later, in 1961, she married Eddie Foster, a retired U.S. Navy veteran. From this union, four children were born: Darrell, Joseph, Michael, and Gina.

As a young woman, Evelyn was employed by the Department of Hospitals as a Ward Clerk on what was then known as Welfare Island, NY. She was later employed by the New York City Department of Social Services, where she began as a clerk and retired as an administrative assistant after 20 years in 1988. Upon retirement, she returned to Portsmouth, Virginia.

Evelyn received Christ at an early age at Antioch Baptist Church in Corona, NY. After moving to Long Island City, NY to raise her family, she joined the Community Church of Astoria, where she was a member of the choir and served on the usher board for many years. When she returned to Portsmouth, she joined Morningstar Baptist Church, where she was a member of the choir, Secretary of the Sunday School and an active member in the Women’s Organization. In 2008, she moved to Baker, Florida to live with her son Darrell, and his family. She joined Lebanon Missionary Baptist, where she became an active member of the Women’s Group, the Mother’s Board and Sunday School.

Evelyn was preceded in death by two sons, Joseph Foster and Phillip Shands, one granddaughter Shanna Shands, her dear Aunt Laura, and three cousins whom she shared a special relationship with, Thelma Murray, Clarence Morris, and Alberta Morris. She leaves to mourn four children, Timothy Shands (Charlene), Darrell Foster (Teresa), Michael Foster, and Gina Foster; ten grandchildren, Phillip, Jr. Courtney, Timothy, Bianca, Jenna, Olumbe, Suvi, Darrell, Jr., Sisi, Khare, ten great-grandchildren, and her beloved cousin John Jackson Jr. (Chris).

Evelyn loved her family deeply, prayed fervently for them all throughout her life, and always sought opportunities to show her love for them.