Evelyn Costen

Evelyn Costen was born to the late Lester and Jadie Mae Costen in Collins, Georgia on February 2, 1947. Evelyn passed to her Heavenly Reward peacefully on October 23, 2024, at Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia surrounded by her loved ones.

From the time she was a child, Evelyn manifested unique individuality, amazing commitment, courage, and strength. Evelyn began her journey with Christ as a young child at Bethel AME Church in Collins, GA where both of her parents served in multiple capacities. It was at Bethel that Evelyn's faith and love of the Lord spawned and flourished. Evelyn was a prudent student of the Holy Bible and the Word of God as a disciplined attendee of her congregation's Sunday School.

Evelyn was educated in the Tattnall County School System, attending Collins Elementary School and Tattnall Industrial High School. Upon completion of her secondary education, Evelyn enlisted in the United States Air Force where she was as an emphatically proud patriot for her country. Upon completion of her military service, Evelyn was honorably discharged and went on to attend Morris Brown College where she studied Business Administration.

During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Evelyn relocated to New York City to begin her post-military career. In 1970, Evelyn was joined in holy matrimony to her late husband, Raymond Jimenez with whom she shared one beloved daughter, Maria.

Evelyn was an innovative entrepreneur, having been one of the first black female owners of a dry-cleaning and tailoring business in the Yorkville section of Manhattan in the early 1980's. During her time in New York City, Evelyn enjoyed long walks in Central Park, visits to her favorite gourmet coffee shop, Zabar's, shopping in New York's Fashion District and hosting family dinners inclusive of her world-famous spaghetti and meatballs!

Evelyn eventually returned to her esteemed home state of Georgia reestablishing her membership with Bethel AME Church in Collins where she was a dedicated member of the Women's Missionary Society, and the Stewardess Board. Evelyn was an astute student and secretary of the Church Sunday School, as well as, a member of the Kitchen Hospitality Committee and the Sunday School Committee. Evelyn also held many administrative roles in the church including Church Trustee and

Church Secretary where she was always pleased to do the work of the Lord.

Evelyn was active in her community as a long-term and proud member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the oldest Black sorority-based women's organization in America. Evelyn was also a member of the Tattnall County NAACP Branch #5640 where she worked toward the organization's goal of promoting equality, political rights and social inclusion for all people.

In her downtime, Evelyn enjoyed baking and gardening. Evelyn had an incredible green thumb! Her family was blessed to enjoy many meals which she lovingly prepared. Evelyn was also her family's genealogist, as she dedicated so much of her time to preserving family heirlooms and ensuring her family tree was accurate and well-documented for generations to come.

Evelyn is survived by her cherished daughter, Maria Juliet and her son-in-law, Aurelien. Three grandchildren who were her absolute pride and joy, Jared, Julius and Jordyn. Evelyn is reverently survived by her dear friend, Hilton Hall; four sisters whom she adored, Julie (Laymon) Bailey of Atlanta, GA, Frances (Alphonso) Borden of Englewood, NJ; Jessie Dean (William) Goodman of Elmont, NY and Helen (Alton) McKinnon of Collins, GA. One brother, Willis Costen of Collins, GA and one special nephew-son, Herman Smith. Evelyn is admiringly survived by a host of beloved nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.