Brother Carl (Charles Joseph) Evans, S.C.
Brother Carl Evans, S.C., 92, a resident of Baton Rouge, LA, since February 2013, died at St. Clare Manor Nursing Home in Baton Rouge, on July 8, 2023, at 3:30 PM.Brother Carl, son of the late Robert Evans, Sr., and Evelyn Miller, both of Vicksburg, MS, was also a native of Vicksburg. He joined the Brothers of the Sacred Heart as a pre-novice in Metuchen, NJ, on September 10, 1947, and became a novice there on August 14, 1948. He professed his first vows on August 15, 1949, in Metuchen and later made his perpetual profession at the Brothers' chapel at Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, MS, on June 12, 1955.
Carl was a learned man, earning a Bachelor's degree in History from Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, in 1952; and three Master's degrees: one in Administration from Louisiana State in 1966, a second in Guidance and Psychology also from LSU in 1972, and a third in Theological Studies from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA, in 1975. Brother Carl answered a call to even more ministry by ordaining Brother at Our Lady of the Gulf Church in Bay St. Louis, MS, on March 31, 1975.
Brother Carl had a distinguished career in the field of education which spanned 54 years and two continents. In the United States, Carl served as a high school teacher, guidance counselor, and chaplain at several Brothers' schools, including St. Aloysius High School in New Orleans, LA; St. Francis de Sales School in Houma, LA; McGill Institute in Mobile, AL; Saint Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, MS; Catholic Boys Home in Mobile, AL; Bishop Dunne High School in Dallas, TX; Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, LA; and Vandebilt Catholic High School in Houma, LA. As a missionary in Africa, he served as Assistant Postulant Master and teacher at the novitiate in Alokolum, Uganda; at Nkubu Secondary School in Nkubu, Kenya; and at Comboni College in Lira, Uganda. After retiring from his 54 years of active ministry, Brother Carl served as chaplain to the Brothers' communities in Thibodaux, LA, and Baton Rouge, LA. He generously made himself available to celebrate the sacraments at any of the Brothers' schools or other schools in the area.
Though Brother Carl was a master biology teacher who even had a species of centipede he discovered in Africa named after him, he felt his best work was done outside the classroom.
As a licensed professional counselor since 1988 who also held a diploma as a spiritual director from Pecos Benedictine Monastery, Brother Carl counseled many within and outside the school community as well as inside and outside the confessional.
His love for hunting and fishing was also legendary, and he would happily provide Vanderbilt Catholic High School's weekly "fish and game" report. To top it all, he would generously share his catch with many "fisher-impaired" families or whatever he had shot with those who could brave a plate of his wild game. His diverse interests and boundless energy led him to assist in coaching softball, brought him to minister to the poor on a yearly mission trip to Saltillo, Mexico, and led "Brother Huntin' and Fishin'" to outdoor adventures throughout the U.S. and beyond.
Brother Carl was preceded in death by his parents, as well as by nine of his eleven siblings, including his brothers Fred (Tollie) Evans; J.W. (Scootie) Evans; Miller (Tootsie) Evans; Dr. Ed T. (Rosemary) Evans; Earl (Mary Anne) Evans; Harry (Betty) Evans; Robert (Rita) Evans, Jr.; and his sisters Madeline (J.L.) Franco and Evelyn (Rodney) Mouton.
He is survived by his sister Mary (John, deceased) Barber, and a brother George (Carol) Evans, as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. The consummate teacher, Brother Carl, made a lasting gift by donating his body to LSU's Medical School to help train future doctors.
Because of his gift, we will celebrate two Memorial Masses for his peaceful repose, but no funeral Mass. The first occured in Baton Rouge at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (11441 Goodwood Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815) Friday, July 21.
A "wake" began at 10:00 AM, with the Mass at 10:30 AM. A reception followed at the parish's Activity Center immediately after the Eucharistic liturgy. A second Memorial Mass was held at St. Francis de Sales Co-Cathedral (500 Goode St, Houma, LA 70360) on Saturday, July 22.
Brother Carl's cremains will be buried at the Brothers' cemetery in Bay St. Louis, MS when they are returned from medical school. Donations in honor of Brother Carl can be made to the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Foundation (4600 Elysian Fields Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122).
The Advocate
