Jake Preston Evans

Jake Preston Evans was born on October 30th, 1967, to Jake Preston Reese and Joycelyn Meredith Evans Byrd in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Our beloved father, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, co-worker and friend, peacefully transitioned to his heavenly home on Wednesday, February 19th, 2025, after a long illness. Jake was a baptized believer in his Savior Jesus Christ. He was a well-educated man, committed father and man of faith. He spoke so often of the “manifold wisdom of God”. Jake was a brilliant man with a heart of gold, beautiful brown eyes and a dazzling smile. His favorite place was the beach. After graduating high school in 1985 from Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Maryland, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute (GMI) now Kettering University in 1993. He was employed as a Project Manager at Saturn Corporation (GM Spring Hill Manufacturing) in Tennessee from 1993 until 2005. He then attended law school at the University of Tennessee Knoxville graduating with his Juris Doctorate in 2008. He passed the TN Bar Association in 2010. Jake had an entrepreneurial spirit and pursued his interests by working as a practicing attorney even specializing in patent law. He practiced law for 10 years. More recently, he worked at West Mecklenburg High School as a math teacher in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jake was married to Alisa Johnson and from this union came his first-born daughter, Jerilyn Elizabeth. Later, Jake was married to Monica Speights and from this union came Zoe Meredith, Richard Preston and Ella Sephia. Jake’s proudest achievement was his four beloved children. They gave him so much joy as he cheered them on at their various sporting events and encouraged them to do their best. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jake was a dedicated marathon runner and a man of strong faith. His greatest delight was watching his son play baseball, always encouraging him with his favorite phrase: “See the stitches.” Richie is a natural athlete and rising baseball star. He has a powerful swing and a strong presence on the field. Ella is a Pickleball prodigy. She is a fierce competitor with an undeniable talent far beyond her years. Zoe is inspired by her father’s dedication to law and justice and dreams of following in his footsteps. Jerilyn is a whiz at business management and customer service. She is an analytical thinker and embodies her father’s entrepreneurial spirit. Jake loved all his children equally and unconditionally, ensuring they felt his pride and support every step of the way. Jake Preston Evans will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. His legacy of resilience, kindness, and faith will live on in the hearts of his family and friends forever. Jake was preceded in death by his mother, Joycelyn Meredith Evans Byrd; father, Jake Preston Reese; brothers, Vincent Valentino Williams, Mark Reese, and Edwin Cook; sisters, Karen Reese, Casandra Fabre, and Chiquita Overstreet; Stepmother, Thelma Reese; Uncle Thomas Evans III, Special Aunts, Jacquelyn Evans, Cynthia Evans, Daffine Hamilton, Doris West, Constance Daughtery and Angela Evans. He leaves to cherish his memories: daughters, Jerilyn Elizabeth Evans (her mother, Minister Alisa Johnson-Evans), Zoe Meredith Evans and Ella Sephia Evans; son, Richard Preston Evans (their mother, Monica Speights Evans); sisters, Carmel Shavon Evans and Paulette Reese; brothers, Kelvin Reese and Gilbert Reese; Special Aunts, Lettie Caldwell, Shirley Pleasure, Gloria Allen, Sandra Evans, Wanda Payano and Stephne Williams; special niece Leigha Siaca Martin, special nephews Kaylon and Johnathan Evans and Antwon Davis. Special cousin Gladys (Niecy) Hamilton. Great-Nieces, Siaca and Santana and Great Nephew Sallace Martin.

Jake Preston Evans

October 30, 1967 - February 19, 2025