Joan A. Gerst Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joan Aliccia Gerst was born on July 23, 1936 in Chester, PA to the late Samuel Blackwell and Mary A. Strand Blackwell. OnSaturday, May 21, 2022, at Crozer Chester Medical Center, God called Joan from labor to reward to take her well-deserved rest. Joan was educated in the Chester public schools and graduated from Chester High School. She had several employers over the years, including Zenith Metal Company, Fidelity Bank and George W. Hill Correctional Facility. She was also an accomplished seamstress who made beautiful garments for family, friends, and acquaintances over the years. Joan also served in her community at the Boys and Girls Club in Chester, as secretary and treasurer for Proverbs Basketball League, and as a faithful election poll worker for many years in Chester Township. Joan was united in holy matrimony to Hampton Evans, Sr., and out of this union she became the proud mother of four children, Hampton Jr., Yolanda, Elvera and Anthony. Later in life, she would marry Richard Gerst. As a young child, Joan attended First Pentecostal Holy Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Walter N. Strobhar. She was active as a youngster in the church, attending Bible Church School and singing on the Young People’s Chorus. As an adult, under the leadership of Bishop Samuel Ellis, Joan was an active member of the church and participated in various ministries, including the Shepherd’s Care Ministry and Women’s Fellowship. She also took her love for cooking into the church kitchen, helping to prepare meals for special services, and for the children of the Vacation Bible School. Joan’s service extended beyond First Pentecostal to the district level, where she served as secretary of the United Holy Church Delaware Sub-District for a number of years. Joan loved her family, especially the children. She was a loving mother and grandmother who cared for the children in her family as well as others outside of her family circle. She also helped to raise a number of children, most notably, her great-granddaughter, Lynniece Evans Butler, whom she raised from the age of seven. As was previously mentioned, Joan loved sewing, cooking and baking. She also loved music and she was an avid bowler. She loved to bowl! Joan is predeceased by her husband, Richard Gerst, son, Hampton Evans , Jr. , daughter, Elvera Lynette Evans, and sister, Frances Morgan. She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her legacy: two children, Yolanda Evans Anderson (Danny), Anthony Lewis Evans (Karen); three sisters, Jeanette Blackwell, Judith Roberson, Doris Grimes (Al); one brother, Ronald Blackwell; one sister-in-law, Maria Blackwell; 19 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren; two goddaughters, Aquanette “Pumpkin”Evansand Tyese Whitsett, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Joan A. Gerst

July 23, 1936 - May 21, 2022