Reda Lee Bland Evans was born October 9, 1913 to Erma Jean and Ollie Bland in Goliad, Texas. Evans entered Prairie View as a 16 year old Elementary Education major with a minor in history and mathematics. While a student, she was on both the varsity basketball and track teams. She was also a student worker in the campus laundry. After graduating from Prairie View Industrial and Mechanical College in 1936, Evans returned to Goliad to teach. She used her summers to work toward earning her Master of Science in Mathematics and Education at Prairie View, which she completed in 1944. She also took graduate classes at Syracuse University and Penn State University.

In 1943, Evans came back to Prairie View to work as a Mathematic Instructor. In 1946, she became the Dean of Women. As the Dean of Women, her duties included: supervising seven residence hall (about 750 girls per building); supervising staff; building maintenance; ordering supplies; and managing three secretaries.

During her tenure at PV she worked closely with the Miss Prairie View Pageant; was a founder of the Women Council, Club Chic.; and was a member of the Epsilon Lambda Zeta Chapter of and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Evans retired from Prairie View A&M University in August 1983, after 40 years of service.

Evans married her husband, William Evans, in 1951 in Oklahoma City. He preceded her in death.

Evans’ favorite quote was by Katherine Mansfield: “how hard it is to escape from places. However carefully one goes, they hold you, you leave little bits of yourself fluttering on the fences, little rags and shreds of very life”.

 

References

Mathis, Mary Anne. “A Legacy of Dedication.” January 19, 1984: 1-2.

Mrs. Reda Lee Bland Evans, 1913-1986, Obituary, Office of Student Affairs and Institutional Advancement Women’s History Research files.

Panther, Prairie View. “Zeta Sorority Salutes Dean Reda Bland Evans .” Prairie View Panther , February 21, 1974.