Evelyn Roberta Hallman

Dr. Evelyn Roberta Hallman (affectionately known as “Bertie”) transitioned from this life on Monday, August 4, 2025, at NHC Healthcare Fort Sanders in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Born on September 1, 1934, in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Bertie was the seventh of eight children of Samuel Ulysses and Evelyn A. Ricks Hallman. She grew up deeply rooted in her faith at Pleasant View African Episcopal United Church in Quince Orchard, MD, where she served in many capacities, most notably as a lay member to the Baltimore-Washington United Methodist Conference. She was also a faithful supporter of the Pleasant View Historical Site and an ardent supporter of Fairhaven United Methodist Church.

During her formative years, Bertie attended Lincoln Colored High School in Rockville, MD. She went on to earn her B.S. from Morgan State University, an M.A. from New York University, and an Ed.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Bertie inspired generations of students throughout her distinguished career in higher education. Her greatest professional legacy was built at Knoxville College, where she held numerous leadership roles, including Department Chair of Business, Dean of Education, College Provost, and President (2014–2015). At a time when the college faced significant challenges, she provided determined leadership, telling WBIR-TV in 2014: “We don’t have time to go throw a pity party. We just have to move on. We’re just glad we have the agency to come in and they’re keeping us informed in terms of what needs to be done.” Her words reflected her lifelong commitment to perseverance, progress, and hope.

A woman of faith, Bertie was a devoted member of Fourth Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School and represented her congregation in Church Women United. Her service was honored with numerous awards, including Outstanding Educator of America (1975), Valiant Woman of the Year by the Knoxville/Knox County unit of Church Women United, and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Honoree for Education (2007) by the City of Knoxville Commemoration Commission.

Beyond her professional and spiritual contributions, Bertie was a tireless community leader. She served in the Mechanicsville Optimist Club and the Mechanicsville Association, holding several leadership positions. A proud member of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., she served at the local, regional, and national levels and was celebrated for 60 years of dedicated membership and service.
A lifelong advocate of literacy and literature, Bertie found great joy in reading. She was a member and immediate past president of The Book Review Club and an active member of The Alliance of Doctoral Women. She also loved to travel—journeying to the Holy Land with her late sister Pearl and sharing many cruises with her sister Esther and brother-in-law Curtis to destinations including the Bahamas, Curaçao, Saint Maarten, Jamaica, and beyond.

She leaves to cherish her extraordinary life: siblings Esther M. Lyons (Curtis) and Thompkins W. Hallman; nieces Pamela R. Newsome/Goddaughter (Squire) and Darlene P. Jackson; nephews Melvin Howard Bell (Jacquelin), Rev. Gerard A. Green, Jr. (Rita), Vernon S. Green, David Hallman (Renee), and Dwight Hallman; along with numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. She will also be remembered by a host of loving relatives, devoted sorority sisters, church members, and friends whose lives were touched by her wisdom, grace, and unwavering service. Preceding her in death are her parents, Samuel and Evelyn Hallman; her brothers, Samuel, Eugene, Upton, and Melvin Hallman; and her sister, Ida Pearl Green.

“Those who pass on remain in our hearts and minds as a consistent memory to remind us of the sweetness of life.”

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