Ms. Beryl Sandra Evans

Beryl Sandra (Cobham) Evans, a kind soul to all she encountered, passed away on Saturday, January 30. She was 74 years old. On August 21, 1946, God broke the mold when Aunt Sandra, as she is affectionately known by many, was born to the late William E. Cobham, Sr. (Pop) and Evelyn Husbands-Cobham (Nana/Aunt Mort). From this union, she was the eldest of two children. She leaves behind her brother, William E. Cobham, Jr. (Billy), to cherish warmhearted memories of their upbringing. Her other siblings, half-sister Beryl (Cobham) Bryant and half-brothers Alfred Cobham, Edward Cobham, and Wilmer King, preceded Sandra in death. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Sandra is an alumna of Maxwell high school (Class of 1964) and graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the College University of New York in 1998. Shortly after graduating high school, she met the love of her life, the late Dubion Delano Evans (Uncle Ben). The manifestation of their partnership and love was one child. She will be missed and remembered tenderly by her surviving son, Omar Shabazz, grandchildren, Sanai Evans and Dominique Petty; and their mother, Catina Petty, warmly embraced by Sandra as her daughter-in-law. Sandra began her career with the CUNY system and retired in 2003 from New York Technical College. She was also a faithful steward of Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church in East New York, Brooklyn. During her tenure, Sandra served as a Church Council member, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School teacher, and helped with the Children’s Christmas Party. Sandra displayed her greatest joy and gave unwavering service to the Feeding Committee. She supervised and worked the weekly Soup Kitchen ministry for ten years. God is good, and we are grateful to have had Aunt Sandra’s generous persona with us for so many years. Known for her stylish outlook and infectious spirit for travel, she often put all of us to shame with her fashion trends, which she lovingly shared with her grandchildren, nieces, goddaughters, and cousins through gifts. Similarly, many of the young people (and adults) in her life benefited from her willingness to allow us to travel with her to Barbados, the native home of her mother’s family, and so many beautiful places, domestic and abroad. Sandra’s greatest wish before death would have been more kindness, love, and forgiveness. It is these beliefs and legacy she leaves her family with that must shape our moral compass. As a family, we have been richly blessed by this woman of God. Sandra, a mother, daughter, wife, cousin, grandmother, niece, sister, grandmother, and friend, will be missed and fondly remembered by her sister-in-law of thirty-eight years, Louise McNeely-Cobham, and her children, Leonard W. Cobham and Dr. B. Afeni McNeely Cobham. Her cousin Donna Cumberbatch and her children Atiba Henry, Ayana Kone, Sandra’s goddaughter, Ayana’s husband Boubacar Kone, who was like a nephew to Sandra, and their children, Diakalia and Kassim Kone. She is cherished by her goddaughter Tiffany Holder. And will be deeply missed by Ms. Elaine Dickerson, her best friend for more than 30 years. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, colleagues, friends, and extended church family, from Brooklyn to Barbados, were touched and blessed by her presence in their lives. All of us will celebrate the legacy she leaves behind. Due to COVID restrictions, the family has decided to host a small gathering to honor Sandra’s life. When we can come together safely, a larger celebration will take place. Grace Funeral Chapels will facilitate arrangements. To share a memory of Sandra or send a (virtual) condolence to her family, please visit https://www.gracefunerals.com/

Ms. Beryl Sandra Evans

August 21, 1946 - January 30, 2021