Evans still out because of health
By Steve Herring
Published in News on December 10, 2012 1:46 PM
The wife of Wayne County Commissioner J.D. Evans said last week that her husband plans to resume his duties on the board once he has recovered from chemotherapy treatments and a recent case of dehydration.
Evans had brain surgery for cancer in April and has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. His wife said his recovery was going well until he became dehydrated a few weeks ago, requiring his hospitalization.
Wayne County Democratic Party Chairman Stephanie Kornegay said there have been no discussions yet concerning what would happen if Evans is unable to return to office.
Shirley Evans said her husband was able to attend board meetings, even teach Sunday school, until the dehydration struck. He has since been moved from Wayne Memorial Hospital to the Brian Center for rest.
Evans is still taking a type of chemotherapy that has affected him, too, she said. Also, this past week, a MRI and treatment was done on him and he was unable to comment Thursday for this story.
"It takes awhile to work its way out of his system," Mrs. Evans said.
Evans is finishing up his treatments, and his wife said she expects they will talk to doctors within the next few days as to when Evans can return home.
"I talked with him (Thursday) and asked what he wanted me to say. He is hoping that he can get well to resume his duties."
She said her husband wants to continue in his post "because there is a lot of work to be done for Wayne County." But that if that is not possible, he has considered other options.
She said that her husband was alert and doing well this past Monday when he took his oath of office along with fellow Democrat John Bell.
Evans was appointed to the commission in mid-2000 to replace Jimmie Ford, who had become a state legislator.
A retired educator, Evans taught science and math at the former Carver High School in Mount Olive. He was assistant principal at Southern Wayne High School at Dudley before serving as director of the Diagnostic Center for the school administration.
Ms. Kornegay said many people have asked her if Evans will continue on as commissioner.
"I know just a month ago we were very hopeful that he would be able to," she said. "This is what I know about J.D. Evans. J.D. is a fighter, J.D. is always thinking about the people of Wayne County, and J.D. is always trying to do his best. So when he thinks he can't do his best for the people, he will step aside. In addition, he has been fighting for his constituents on the commission for a long time, he deserves some time to fight for himself."
Should Evans be unable to serve, commissioners are required to consult with the Democratic executive committee before filling the vacancy. Whoever is appointed would have to, in this case, be a Democrat and be a resident of District 2.