Evelyn was born in St. Petersburg FL, on March 12, 1934.  After graduating high school, she came to Boston in 1954 and worked as a seamstress until her marriage to the late John B Tolliver in 1956.  Evelyn lived in the South End, Dorchester and Mattapan prior to moving to Hyde Park in 1987.  Evelyn was an avid jazz fan, gardener and fashionista.  Over the past 60 years she has raised 6 children, fostered over 75 children and babysat over 2 generations of children.  She has warmly and generously opened her heart and home to many.  Known for her well dressed and classy style, good food and no nonsense attitude, Evelyn will be missed by all who knew her and her many titles “Momma, Nena, Evvie, Mom, Ma, The Rock, Nana, Nana-poo,   Auntie, Ms. E, Lady E, Lady Ev and the Diva.

Evelyn was the beloved daughter of the late John and Annabelle Collins of Florida, and the sister of the late Christina Green, the late Mary Willis of Florida, the late Johnny Collins and the late Ivenus Collins of Boston.  She was the loving mother of Stephen Tolliver of Hyde Park, Wayne Tolliver and his wife Mia of North Carolina,  Denean Tolliver of Milton, Lawrence Miller and his wife Lora of North Carolina, Venus Tolliver of Dorchester and Marlayna Robinson and her husband Arthur of Hyde Park.  She also leaves to mourn her brother Andre Davis., Her nephews George Tolliver and family, Michael Willis, and niece Mary L. Anderson and family, her grandchildren, Stephen Tolliver, Jr. Khalil Moss, Arlanah & Arthur Robinson and the late Charles Marvel, and a host of nieces and nephews in Florida, Nevada and Canada.

Funeral Service in the Dolan Funeral Home, 1140 Washington St., Dorchester Lower Mills, Weds., June 10 at 11 o’ clock.  Visitation Weds., 10 – 11 am.  Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery ,  Roslindale.