Mary Evelyn (Cleugh) Hand

Mary Evelyn (Cleugh) Hand, 85, of Madison passed away peacefully of natural causes on May 25, 2025. 

Born on November 28, 1939, in Whittier, California, Evie was the eldest of five children to Mildred Evelyn “Billy” Wilson and David Ashton Cleugh. Evie attended Whittier college where she studied early childhood development. 

She later attended Mississippi State achieving a Masters in Psychology. During her college summers, Evie worked at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, where she was renowned for making the best pancakes in the valley. 

It was there she met her future husband, William “Bill” Lodwick Hand of Philadelphia, Mississippi. 

Embracing a new chapter, Evie moved from her beloved California to the South with Bill. 

They began their life together in New Orleans, later relocating to Houston, and eventually settling in Meridian, Mississippi, where they resided from 1976 until 2001. Evie and Bill then moved to the Jackson area, making Madison their home. 

Evie is survived by her four children, Michael, Susie, Jim, and Ben, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. 

Her legacy of love, humor, wisdom, and warmth will continue to inspire all who knew her. 

A private memorial service will be held at Saint James’ Episcopal Church. 

Memorial donations may be made to the Outreach Program at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Jackson, Mississippi.