Cleveland D. Evans

Cleveland Dale Evans was the second child born to Claude Evans and Viola Evans. Born on June 27, 1954 in Baltimore Maryland.
 
During his childhood around the age of 14, Cleveland (Cle) worked at his father’s place of employment (Fort George Meade Commissary) as a Bag Boy. Over the course about 6 years, he bagged groceries for tips and on the average a good day made 30 dollars. Cle would come home and give his little sister (Yvonne/Von) 3 dollars in quarters. He had a spirit of giving at a young age. Still today people will say to his little sister, “You were spoiled as a child.” I am not shy to say, “I know.”

 Cleveland grew up in Knox Presbyterian Church. Many Sundays, Cle and his sister would make excuses not to attend Sunday school and Church. Without any thought in mind, the oldest sibling (Claude/Snooky) would be seen walking across the school yard going to church. Snooky was really devoted to attending Sunday school. What happened to Cle and his sister, I don’t know.

 Cleveland received his early education from the Baltimore City Public School System. He continued his education first at Tennessee State University in the ROTC program for 3 years. Then he attended Xavier University of Louisiana for 1 year. From there Cleveland joined the US Air Force in 1981. During his 4 years, his Specialty/Title was: Fire Protection Specialist. Finally, returned home to attend University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore for half semester. 

After his tour of duty in the military, Cleveland moved back home to Baltimore. Cleveland joined the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and was hired on a leap year in February 29, 1988. He started out as a fire recruit and graduated from training school May of 1988. Throughout the years he elevated himself to HazMat Technician at Company 7 and he worked as a HazMat Tech. for many years- then in 2006 he was promoted to Master Fire Fighter, a new assignment. From there he retired on April 1, 2014 (April Fools’ Day).

 After retirement, Cle decided to venture into the field of carpentry to do home improvement on the family house. Definitely having no initial skill in carpentry, Cle called on the brothers from around the way for assistance. And talk about impeccable fine art/work from these fellas. Shout-out to the brothers and special shout-out to Mr. Reggie. He was daring and placed a new roof on the family home with the assistance of Chris and another partner. People would say,” They were crazy,” if you were to see the height of our house.

 Throughout Cle’s life can you believe there was someone who could “out talk” Cle. A shocker right? A special shout out to his longtime childhood friend Charles Yarborough AKA Charlie Dog who preceded him in death. The sister of Charlie Dog said, “Cle was more of a listener when the two were together.” 

Family was the world to Cleveland and he was extremely protective of his “three nieces.” Although Cle never married nor had children of his own, Cle saw life like a “village.” Cleveland will forever be remembered and cherished by his brother Claude L. Evans Jr. and his sister Yvonne; his only three nieces he adored, Titilayo (Dayo), Durodola (Dolly) and Tola (Bebe’); his cousins, Evelyn Wilson, Patricia Rice Lassiter, Willie and Quinton Cates and Bernard Evans. Friends, friends-like family, and longtime co-workers and well wishes, he will be missed by all.