Evelyn T. Chatman

On Sunday, July 17, 2022, Evelyn Tilton Chatman gracefully transitioned from labor to rest.

She was born on March 3, 1927 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Evelyn was the seventh of eight children born to Cornelius and Emma Delafosse Tilton. As a girl, she attended the Paul Lawrence Dunbar School.

Years later, a young Marine, Eddie Chatman, Sr. (deceased), courted Evelyn, and they wed in her mother’s living room. They had seven children: Eddie Jr. (deceased), Valerie, Deborah, Crystal, David Cornelius, Ronald Charles, and Carolyn.

For thirty years, Evelyn worked as a cafeteria attendant at Good Hope Elementary School in Perris, California, and she made her home in Perris. In 1966, she received honorary life membership in the California Congress of Parents & Teachers, Inc. She was also a member of the Golden Poppy Chapter #26 of the Eastern Star from 1966 to 1983.

She loved her church community. As a child, she attended St. Peter (Carrollton) African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in New Orleans. When the family was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, she joined Walker Chapel AME Oceanside. In 1957, she and her children joined Bethel AME Church in Perris. 

She volunteered on the church's usher board. She also served as a church trustee, class leader, steward, steward emeritus, adult Sunday School teacher, and she taught a women’s Bible study. Evelyn loved helping others and served as a member of the Eliza Gillard Women’s Missionary Society (WMS). She volunteered at all levels of church governance. Many treasured her faithful mentorship, her enjoyable fellowship, and her beautiful smile.

In 1992, the Fifth Episcopal District of the WMS inducted Ms. Chatman into the Cleo B. Love Hall of Recognition for her meritorious service to the AME church. In 1996, she became a Life Member of the WMS. She served on the Southern California Connectional WMS Hughes-Smith Life Membership Initiative. Evelyn enjoyed traveling to WMS meetings on all levels, including the WMS Quadrennial Meetings, until her health declined.

Evelyn held leadership positions in the PTA at Good Hope Elementary School, where most of her children attended. With generosity of heart, she delivered food to the needy while volunteering at the Food Bank. She also loved watching westerns on television and spending time with her family.

Her parents, siblings, and her eldest son, Eddie Chatman, Jr. precede her in death. She leaves to cherish her memory the following loved ones: her sons, David Cornelius Chatman and Ronald Charles Chatman, her daughters, Valerie Askew, Deborah Williams (Charles), Crystal Swain (Dennis, deceased), and Carolyn Chatman.

Her thirteen grandchildren include: Eddie Chatman III, Sherri Askew (Horst), Eddie Andre Chatman (Trina), April Thais Hamilton, Ebony Coletu, Michael Eddie Chatman, Dale Chatman Williams, Daren Charles Williams (Preslaysa), Marques Chatman, Danielle Clarice Williams, Alicia Renita Jones (DJ), Jonathan Dean Chatman, and Jacob Edward Wolfe (Lynneshia). She also has eighteen great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

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