Ted was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Mr. Caswell Evans and his wife, Willie Evans. Unfortunately, Ted’s mother, Willie, died young and his father worked outside of Oklahoma City. Ted went into the care of, and was reared by, foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bingham. Ted lived with them until he started High School at Attucks School in Ponca City. While in High School Ted lived with his Brother, Lawrence Davis and worked as an elevator Operator for Continental Oil.
During these years Ted met Doris Jean Williams, they were high school sweethearts. They married May 18, 1941, in Newkirk, Oklahoma and celebrated 74 happy life-fulfilling years together. The couple enjoyed world-wide travel, as well as romantic day trips in beautiful California. Ted graduated from Attucks School, in 1941 and later Laney College in Oakland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He put his education to good purpose as a Mechanic-Electrician. Ted worked in this capacity at University of California Berkeley in the Department of Nutritional Science, Engineering Division. He developed new technology for transporting heated medical products. After 30 years Ted retired from UC Berkeley to spend time in his garden and serve church missions. Ted and Doris joined Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in 1966. Ted became the radio engineer for the church’s city-wide worship broadcast during the pastoral tenure of Rod Romney. Later Ted worked with Dave Gaddey in the weekly LABC recycling program to raise funds for the Hunger Task Force.

Ted is survived by his wife Doris and daughter Charlotte Lavonne Evans. Their son, Theodore L. Evans, Jr. is deceased. Family members are grandson Merlin Edwards II and granddaughter-in-law Christina Edwards, great-grandsons Obatala Seward-Evans, Merlin Edwards, III and Nikko Oni Edwards. great-granddaughter, Meilyn Edwards and sister-in-Law, Jenoise Leche.

Memorial Life Celebration will be held at 12:30 pm on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland. A private interment will be at Sunset View Cemetery. Donations may be made in Ted’s name to support the Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, Hunger Task Force.