A postal pioneer and a lifelong love: the proposed tribute to Lala Evans

Starkville’s mayor’s office proposed recognizing Charles Hampton “Lala” Evans as a “Starkville Hero” after his Oct. 6 death. Prepared for the Mississippi city’s Oct. 20 agenda, the tribute recalls a life of public service, music and devotion to his wife, Louise.⁠[1]

The resolution identifies Evans as the first African American in Starkville hired by the U.S. Postal Service, from which he retired in 1992. It also credits him with more than 40 years of service in the Army and Army Reserve.⁠[1]

His community work reached beyond those careers. The tribute recalls his Boy Scout troop leadership, his organizing of the Starkville Church Community Band and his creation of the George Evans softball summer league. It traces his popularity as “Lala,” a lover of music and dance, to a performance in an Oktibbeha County Training School production of “On the Good Ship Lollipop.”⁠[1]

Evans married Louise Hall in 1951; the resolution describes almost 60 years of marriage. Its closing remembrance brings his story back to his neighborhood and his wife: “Needmore was his home and Louise was his life.” He worked to preserve memories of both, the tribute says.⁠[1]

The agenda packet establishes the proposed honor, not its adoption. The resolution’s motion and vote lines are unfilled, so the record reviewed does not establish whether aldermen approved it.⁠[1]