Nathaniel Ratliff ("Papa Evans") Evans

A Celebration of Life Service will be noon Thursday, May 24, 2018 at St. James C. P. Church in America, with Pastor Michael Jones, officiating. The body will lie in repose one hour prior to the service. Inhumation will be 12:30 pm, Friday in the Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, Alabama. Public viewing will be Tuesday, from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Wednesday, from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Life began for Nathaniel “Papa” Ratliff Evans on November 18, 1950 to the late Henry and Cora L. Ratliff Evans in Decatur, Alabama.  He departed this life on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at Decatur Morgan Hospital-Decatur General Campus.

Nathaniel confessed Christ at an early age at St. James Cumberland Presbyterian Church under the leadership of the Reverend W. E. Scott.

He attended the Decatur City Schools graduating from Lakeside High School in 1969. He served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1974. He moved to Los Angeles, California where he lived for a while before moving back to Decatur where he lived for many years.

Papa loved being friends and especially loved being around his family members.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; and one sister, Debra Evans Ellison.

Nathaniel leaves to cherish his memory: six sisters, Dorothy, Gayanne and Mona, of Los Angeles, CA, Shirley, Miranda and Monica of Decatur; three brothers, Henry Jr. (Juanita) of Alexandria, LA, Willie “Strawberry”, of Los Angeles, CA, and Anthony “Shine” of Decatur; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers will be Larry Ellison, Joe Sutherlin, George Swoopes, Barry Carter, Thomas Higgins, Steve Sales and Joe Stevenson. Flower Girls will be Brenda Smith, Linda Higgins, Ella Fennell, Crystal Sales and Diana Harris.

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