Reverend Clay Evans was a civil rights leader from Brownsville, Tennessee. He was a pillar in the community and stood with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Reverend Jesse Jackson to whom he ordained as a minister in 1968. Reverend Evans was the senior pastor at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church where he served for several decades.

 

Reverend Evans was also a singer and songwriter in the gospel world. He wrote the song “By and By” for a gospel music group called the Davis Sisters and he sung on many choirs. In addition, Evans held a career in broadcasting and was the president and founder of the Broadcast Ministers’ Alliance of Chicago.

 

Reverend Evans leaves behind his wife Lutha Mae and three of his four children. His legacy will be remembered for his political support to the African-American community, as well as his music and heart-felt love that inspired all who knew him.