Evelyn Evon Cleveland

Evelyn Evon Hamilton Cleveland, 65, entered eternal rest on Monday, May 25, 2026. Born on February 26, 1961, she was the daughter of the late Willie B. Hampton and Edna E. Hampton of Fort Valley, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Tyrone Cleveland; her sister, Eva Mae Hampton; her great-granddaughter, Tru; and her beloved fur baby, Coco.

She graduated from Peach County High School in 1979 and earned her undergraduate degree in food and nutrition from Fort Valley State University (FVSU)—in 1989. At FVSU Evon strengthened her knowledge of nutrition science, homemaking, and related skills that served her well in both her work and her personal life, where she became known as one of the best cooks around. She also flourished as a flag girl in the FVSU Blue Machine Marching Band, earned a rifle marksmanship distinction in ROTC, and was a member of the Phyettes, a female auxiliary group at the time associated with a national service fraternity. When she was not hitting the books, Evon could be found in the student center playing spades or bid whist—beloved pastimes that connected her with family and friends throughout her life.

Evon worked in retail management for nearly two decades, first with Allied Department Store and later with Citi Trends, Inc. in Fort Valley. A self-described “people person,” she greeted customers with her signature enthusiasm: “Welcome to Citi Trends!” Her strong leadership and exemplary store management led to a South Regional training manager role, which took her to Gainesville, Jacksonville, and Daytona, Florida. After 18.5 years, Evon retired in 2009 and moved back home with her husband to Warner Robins, Georgia, to be closer to her children and to her mother.

Evon was also a woman of faith and a pillar of the community. She was a member of Solid Rock Christian Church in Warner Robins. She was also a member of Pride of Fort Valley #143 Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron—the highest-ranking presiding female officer in a local chapter.

Evon left an impression on everyone who knew her. Her family will remember her for her easy laugh, her green thumb, her impressive card-playing skills (and slick talk at the card table), her snow globe collection, and the love she poured into every meal. For Evon, food was community—whether it was cakes, pies, macaroni and cheese, or whatever she was cooking that day. She wanted people to enjoy what she prepared, and if you were family, she might even share a recipe, just as she did with her nieces.

She was the life of the party and loved to dance, and she carried herself with unmistakable style. Impeccably dressed, she once told her oldest sister, “I’m not overdressed. They are underdressed, sister.”

Her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews across generations still laugh about being summoned to scratch her scalp (though she was famously tender-headed), scratch her back, or rub her feet. They also joke that she passed down a love for Chicken in a Biskit crackers and Easy Cheese—a college favorite that never left her.

Evon is survived by her children, Jontue Hampton and Whitney Denton, both of Bonaire, Georgia; her siblings, Freddie L. Hampton, Sr. of Fort Valley, Georgia, Eula Solomon of Warner Robins, Georgia (husband, Darryol Solomon, preceded her in death), Azzie Oates (Larry) of Fort Valley, Georgia, John W. Hampton of Fort Valley, Georgia (wife, Debra Hampton, preceded him in death), and Mary Hampton of Fort Valley, Georgia; her aunts, Lula Bell (John) of New Jersey and Doretha Davis of Macon, Georgia; special nephews, Marquis Solomon of Macon, Georgia, Dante’ Oates of Warner Robins, Georgia, and De-Jad Williams of Warner Robins, Georgia; her grandchildren, Jayla Sturn, Jawun Hampton, Jamecia Hampton, Kwalieb Hampton, Taylor Postell, and Tylan Tucker, all of Bonaire, Georgia; and 12 great-grandchildren, with one additional great-grandchild expected soon.

She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Evon dearly loved her fur baby, Coco, who was by her side from 2008 until Coco’s passing in 2024. Surely, we know, she will look for her first when she reaches heaven. Evon lived life to the fullest and will be greatly missed, yet her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

For friends unable to attend at this time, the service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/@McCulloughFuneralHome via the McCullough Funeral Home’s YouTube page.