Evelyn Roberts Hunter

Evelyn Roberts Hunter was the twelfth of thirteen children born to Thomas Roberts, Sr. and Lucille Newton Roberts in Norfolk County (now Chesapeake, VA). She was a quiet little girl who loved to read and play with her siblings. She LOVED her family. Unfortunately, early in life Evelyn has some health challenges that left her unable to walk. She was a FIGHTER. She had to learn how to walk again. She was a TRAILBLAZER, starting with becoming the first female drummer in her High School Band. Her future husband, Oliver Hunter, was the base drummer and she told us of the story of how they first started dating after a heavy rainfall and saving the "skins" from the harmful droplets... and as they say... the rest is history. Evelyn went on to become the Salutatorian of her class and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Virginia State University (go Trojans), where she pledged the Alpha Eta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc in 1957 and was president of her Senior Class. She was BRILLIANT! After marrying the love of her life, Evelyn experienced one of the proudest moments of her young life, when she surprised her mother with her first born, Oliver Hunter, Jr. Doctors thought she would never have children because of her childhood health challenges, but she was a mother of two more children, a daughter, Monica and a son, Cedric Hunter (RIP). She was a WARRIOR. Continuing her education at Wayne State for her master's degree, she even went to Old Dominion University in her late 50's to pursue a Certificate of Advance Study in Educational Leadership. She was TENACIOUS. She became a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant 29 years ago to just hang out with and support her daughter in her business, then went on to earn the use of 2 cars, win a diamond ring in the Queen's Court of Sales and become a successful Sr. Director with over 50-unit members and one offspring director. She was named the #2 Rookie of the Year at the Baltimore Career Conference. She was a SUPER SELLER! Evelyn organized the first Cooperating Hampton Roads Organizations for Minorities in Engineering (CHROME) club in Hampton Roads and was influential in guiding many of her students and counselees towards careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). As a Guidance Director at Indian River Middle School in Chesapeake, VA, she was a mentor to many young women and men in her school system, not including her years of teaching overseas in Germany, Turkey and Italy and became actively involved in the Chesapeake Retired Teachers Association, Norfolk County Association (Secretary) and graduate chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She was a INFLUENCER. Her most gratifying role (other than Wife, Mother and Grandmother) was as a Deaconess following in her parent's footsteps who also served as Deacon and Deaconess at Union Baptist Missionary Church (UBMC). Evelyn also sung in the Gospel and Mass Choirs, danced in the C.V. Russell Sr Liturgical Praise team served as an Adult Sunday School Teacher, Marriage Counselor eventually becoming the Mother of the Church in her latter years. She was a GIVER. To cherish her memories, Evelyn is preceded by her husband Oliver Hunter, Sr., children Oliver Hunter, Jr. (Angela), Monica Barnes (Mont) and Cedric Hunter (deceased), nephew Michael Roberts, Sr., grandchild Simone Hunter; sister, Mary (Mae) Roberts and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Evelyn Roberts Hunter

June 27, 1936 - January 22, 2023