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Thursday, September 13, 2007
‘Mama Jean’ puts patriotism on display
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Every month, she decorates her yard in a different theme.
Back-to-school in August. Christmas in December. Halloween in October. Whatever the season, Jean Evans - known to many, especially the neighborhood kids, as “Mama Jean” - arranges a vivid display for motorists who travel James Road in Lawrenceville to see and enjoy.
This month, September, is no different. The theme carries a serious tone, though.
“Remembering 911,” a sign states. Her front yard is in memory of Sept. 11, 2001 - the day terrorists struck on U.S. soil and claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Drive by Evans’ house in the 600 block of James Road.
You’ll see a garden with a flag in the middle that’s surrounded by seven flags in a circle. Two mannequins are decked out in faux military uniforms. Uncle Sam sits on a bench. A banner says “Proud to Be An American.”
And then there’s the tribute to first responders at ground zero, as well as the servicemen who are protecting the country in its aftermath - firefighters and soldiers.
“I’m just a real patriotic person,” Evans told me. “I keep a flag out all the time. That day was such a tragedy. People don’t want to forget it, but they do.”
Months ago, an AJC Gwinnett News reader told me about a wonderful neighbor who passes on humor, reflection and good vibes by decorating her yard. The reader promised to let me know the next time Evans did something special. She kept her word, so the Badie Tour stopped by Evans’ house Wednesday.
First, a little about Evans.
She’s a 69-year-old widow who grew up on the very spot of land she lives on. She’s worked several jobs, including a stint as a school bus driver. She now works as a part-time bank courier. She’s a proud member of the “Gadabouts,” a local chapter of the Red Hat Society.
Her husband of 34 years, Bill, died in 1990. Evans took it hard. To rise up from depression, she took to working in the yard, cutting grass and tending to flowers and plants. In her yard stands a magnolia tree that she always had wanted to decorate for Christmas. One year, she did.
“It was so cheerful,” she told me.
When the holiday season ended and January rolled around, dreariness returned. Evans decided to start setting up monthly displays to raise her spirits as well as those of others who might see her magical yard. She buys costumes and decorative trinkets from thrift shops, garage sales- wherever she finds them.
“This has been a blessing for me,” she said. “It’s good for me and the people enjoy it, too. I’ve met so many people, people of all nationalities. People stop and say, ‘You know, I was having a bad day until I came by your house.’ I have people drive by just to see what I’ve put up.”
Evans’ keen sense of humor and imagination comes across vividly.
Remember the “Runaway Bride?”
Well, Evans did her up nice.
She configured a bridal scene with a bride, groom, three bridesmaids, a ring bearer and a flower girl. A toy school bus served as the Greyhound bus. Evans wrote “Albuquerque” on the bus, lest anyone forget the June 2005 saga. Jennifer Wilbanks of Duluth got cold feet days before her wedding, faked her own kidnapping and hopped a Greyhound bus to New Mexico.
The ordeal became a national story, so it would make sense that Evans’ display would prove quite popular. In fact, it was so popular that somebody stole the bride.
“Maybe they took my point the wrong way,” she said, laughing.
Halloween’s right around the corner. Evans plans to display a little man whose rear end is two pumpkins. She’s going to dress up stick people in costumes and arrange them in a pumpkin patch.
“Life is too short not to enjoy,” she said. “I like to have a good time.”
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
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