IN RECOGNITION OF MRS. LILLIE RUTH GANTT-EVANS
April 1, 2020
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the
work and service of a dedicated community activist, engaged citizen,
and dear friend of longstanding Mrs. Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans. She will
be honored by South Macon Arts Revitalization Technology (SMART), Inc.
at the International Cherry Blossom Gospel Extravaganza in Macon,
Georgia on Friday, March 23, 2018.
work and service of a dedicated community activist, engaged citizen,
and dear friend of longstanding Mrs. Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans. She will
be honored by South Macon Arts Revitalization Technology (SMART), Inc.
at the International Cherry Blossom Gospel Extravaganza in Macon,
Georgia on Friday, March 23, 2018.
Lillie is a native of Macon, Georgia and a product of the Bibb County
School System. After graduating from high school, she went on to attend
Crandall Business College, complete nursing training at Hemlock School
of Nursing and Spirometry training through Marshfield Clinic at St.
Joseph's Hospital. She also studied Early Childhood Education at Fort
Valley State University.
School System. After graduating from high school, she went on to attend
Crandall Business College, complete nursing training at Hemlock School
of Nursing and Spirometry training through Marshfield Clinic at St.
Joseph's Hospital. She also studied Early Childhood Education at Fort
Valley State University.
Once she received her nursing degree, she began working as a nurse at
Macon Hospital (now The Medical Center). Lillie was one of the first
African-American nurses to work in the intensive care unit. After five
years at Macon Hospital, she transferred to Robins Air Force Base
Hospital where she worked as a nurse. for twenty-five years. Beyond her
duties and responsibilities as a nurse, she has also dedicated her
personal life to helping people from all walks of life in her
community. In 1968, during her tenure at Robins Air Force Base
Hospital, Lillie opened Gantt's Preschool and G and J Adult Day Care.
Once she retired from Robins Air Force Base Hospital in 1986, she
opened M.A. Evans School to help students whose birthday delayed their
enrollment in school. She kept the school running for 52 years without
requiring government funding. She renamed G and J Adult Day Care to L
and J Adult Day Care to pay tribute to her late mother, who helped to
run her businesses while she worked as a nurse.
Macon Hospital (now The Medical Center). Lillie was one of the first
African-American nurses to work in the intensive care unit. After five
years at Macon Hospital, she transferred to Robins Air Force Base
Hospital where she worked as a nurse. for twenty-five years. Beyond her
duties and responsibilities as a nurse, she has also dedicated her
personal life to helping people from all walks of life in her
community. In 1968, during her tenure at Robins Air Force Base
Hospital, Lillie opened Gantt's Preschool and G and J Adult Day Care.
Once she retired from Robins Air Force Base Hospital in 1986, she
opened M.A. Evans School to help students whose birthday delayed their
enrollment in school. She kept the school running for 52 years without
requiring government funding. She renamed G and J Adult Day Care to L
and J Adult Day Care to pay tribute to her late mother, who helped to
run her businesses while she worked as a nurse.
Throughout her career, Lillie has been recognized for her commitment
and leadership in the community. These acknowledgements include the J.
C. Penny Golden Rule Award; the Department of the Air Force Service
Award; the Legendary Educator Award; the Humanitarian of the Year
Award; an Honorary Doctorate from the City of Macon in 2002; and
appointments as Lieutenant Colonel, Aide-De-Camp, and to the Governor's
Staff by then Governor Jimmy Carter in 1991.
and leadership in the community. These acknowledgements include the J.
C. Penny Golden Rule Award; the Department of the Air Force Service
Award; the Legendary Educator Award; the Humanitarian of the Year
Award; an Honorary Doctorate from the City of Macon in 2002; and
appointments as Lieutenant Colonel, Aide-De-Camp, and to the Governor's
Staff by then Governor Jimmy Carter in 1991.
In conjunction with her professional accomplishments, Lillie became
the first African-American to be appointed as President of the
Democratic Women's Party and the first African-American woman to serve
as Chair of the Democratic Party of Macon-Bibb County.
the first African-American to be appointed as President of the
Democratic Women's Party and the first African-American woman to serve
as Chair of the Democratic Party of Macon-Bibb County.
Lillie's distinguished achievements have been mirrored by her
extensive involvement in civil rights. After witnessing several racial
injustices against African-Americans, Lillie decided to get involved in
the Civil Rights Movement. She marched locally and throughout Georgia
alongside Hosea Williams, William P. Randall, and Tyrone Brooks to
advocate for civil rights and equal treatment of African Americans.
extensive involvement in civil rights. After witnessing several racial
injustices against African-Americans, Lillie decided to get involved in
the Civil Rights Movement. She marched locally and throughout Georgia
alongside Hosea Williams, William P. Randall, and Tyrone Brooks to
advocate for civil rights and equal treatment of African Americans.
Lillie's faith has always instilled within her a desire to positively
shape the community in which she lives. As a member of New Pleasant
Grove Missionary Baptist Church, she regularly incorporates her faith
into her commitment to public service by serving as an active
participant in the Gospel Choir, the Nurse's Guild, and the Trustee's
Ministry.
shape the community in which she lives. As a member of New Pleasant
Grove Missionary Baptist Church, she regularly incorporates her faith
into her commitment to public service by serving as an active
participant in the Gospel Choir, the Nurse's Guild, and the Trustee's
Ministry.
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays often said: ``You make your living by what you
get, you make your life by what you give.'' We are so grateful that
Lillie has dedicated her time and talents to improve the quality of
life for others. A woman of great integrity, her efforts, her
dedication, and her expertise are unparalleled. Middle Georgia shines a
little brighter because of Lillie Gantt-Evans.
get, you make your life by what you give.'' We are so grateful that
Lillie has dedicated her time and talents to improve the quality of
life for others. A woman of great integrity, her efforts, her
dedication, and her expertise are unparalleled. Middle Georgia shines a
little brighter because of Lillie Gantt-Evans.
Lillie has accomplished much throughout her life, but none of this
would have been possible without the love and support of her husband,
Benjamin; her children, Merita, Chandra, Gregory, and Jimmy (deceased);
her grandchildren; and the countless others positively who impacted her
life over the years .
would have been possible without the love and support of her husband,
Benjamin; her children, Merita, Chandra, Gregory, and Jimmy (deceased);
her grandchildren; and the countless others positively who impacted her
life over the years .
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join my wife Vivian and me, along
with the more than 730,000 constituents of the Second Congressional
District, in extending our sincerest congratulations and appreciation
to Mrs. Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans for her dedicated service to the people
of Middle Georgia.
with the more than 730,000 constituents of the Second Congressional
District, in extending our sincerest congratulations and appreciation
to Mrs. Lillie Ruth Gantt-Evans for her dedicated service to the people
of Middle Georgia.