Wanda Bagby Evans

Wanda Leonnette Bagby Evans, age 72, of Richmond, Virginia departed this life on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Bon Secours Memorial Regional Hospital. She was born on May 30, 1954, in Richmond, Virginia, the first of two children to the late Mr. Leon and Dr. Hilda Jones Bagby. Wanda accepted Christ and became a member of First African Baptist Church at an early age. Having been baptized by the late Reverend Y. B. Williams at the current location, she also attended the Broad Street location. She was an active member of the Children’s Choir, Youth Usher Board and Youth Missionary in her younger years. Wanda attended Albert V. Norrell Elementary School, Chandler Junior High School, and John Marshall High School. She made history as clarinet player in the first marching band at John Marshall. After high school, she attended and majored in Education at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland. While attending Morgan State, she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and played the clarinet in the Morgan State University Marching Band. She was an employee of Richmond Public Schools in the Human Resources Department with Benefits for 28 years; retiring in 2013. After which, she worked part-time as a Substitute Teacher for the same school district. Prior to this, she served as a Bookkeeper at Miller & Rhoads Downtown in the infamous Tea Room. On August 17, 1991, she married Robert Earl Evans, officiated by Reverend Dennis Thomas, then, Pastor of First African Baptist Church. Known as a God-fearing woman who worshipped and praised God openly, Wanda often gave a personal testimony of how she overcame, shared her deep faith, all while serving others in need. She absolutely loved to attend morning worship, Bible study, Saturday Morning Manna, and Revival services. Her beautiful tenor voice could often be heard singing in the First African Baptist Church choirs, while she skillfully played in the B J Winston Handbell Choir. For 9 years, she served as Church Clerk, and in other capacities, including transportation van driver, Director of the B J Winston Bell Choir, and an Assistant Leader of the Youth Choir. She was founder of the Angelic Ringers Youth Bell Ringers in 1991. In 2013, she and Valencia Glasper-Thomas created the Community Outreach Ministry. She was a member of the Precious Pearls and Gems Senior Ministry and celebrated her birthday each year at the Annual FABC Spring Fling at Osbourne Landing. Her hobbies included playing cards, especially Bid Whist, Spades, board games, Chicken Feet Dominoes, reading novels, piano playing and traveling to spend quality time with her family and friends. She was an avid bowler in the late 70’s and 80’s, having played in leagues and won many local and state championships. She loved to hear and tell funny stories, enjoyed sightseeing and riding around to observe Christmas lights each year. An enthusiastic sports lover: she frequented football and basketball games at Norfolk State University, John Marshall High School, Virginia State University versus Virginia Union University, at the Gold Bowl Classic. It gave her joy to watch youth football games when her grandson, Jalen and nephew Keith, Jr. (“B”) played. Wanda was one of the world’s biggest Philadelphia Eagles Fans! Her untiring love for music was evident as she played the handbells at First African Baptist Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Fifth Street Baptist Church and also with the James River Ringers and the Camaraderie Bell Ringers. Those left to cherish her memory, are a devoted husband of 35 years Robert Earl Evans; two daughters, Rev. Monica Lee Bagby and Laporsha Dortch of Chesapeake, VA; grandson, Jalen Tarrell Bagby; great granddaughter, Nolah Jalynn Bates; brother, Keith Bagby, Sr., (Patricia); niece, Patrice Bagby of NC; nephew, Keith Bagby, Jr. of NC; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins in Virginia, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Mississippi; a devoted cousin, Juana Thompson and a devoted friend, Valencia Glasper-Thomas (Lennie). She was preceded in death by her godmother, Nannie Cousins and her childhood best friend, Charlene D. Smith (Bitsy).

Tributes

Wanda Bagby Evans

May 30, 1954 - July 25, 2026