The Ledger

By Becky Holland

Before leading one of Georgia’s most important systems for educators, Dr. L.C. “Buster” Evans was a familiar and respected name in Bleckley County—serving 11 years as superintendent of schools and two years as assistant superintendent.

Now 68, Evans has stepped away from his role as Executive Director of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia, where he served since 2016, closing out a career that spans more than three decades in education and public service.

A graduate of the University of Georgia with a doctorate in Educational Administration, Evans officially retired from public education in 2014 but continued his work at the state level, guiding TRS through economic challenges, legislative changes, and periods of growth.

“I have just been blessed in my career and believe I have done a fair job at them all,” Evans said.

Today, Evans and his wife, Debbie, split their time between Jekyll Island and the family farm near Dublin. They are parents to Jed and Laura and grandparents to two—roles he now places at the center of his life.

When asked about retirement, Evans laughed.

“Still trying to figure that out,” he said.

Instead, he describes his life now through what he calls the “four Fs”—family, faith, fitness, and future.

Family means time with his grandchildren. Faith is a continued commitment to growing spiritually. Fitness includes staying active, even running 5Ks. And future, he says, is about remaining open to opportunities, including consulting during the recent legislative session and accepting speaking engagements.

His perspective has also been shaped by experiences outside the classroom, including his time working within the correctional system in an educational project led by former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal.

“I have met the nicest people in church and the meanest people in church, and I have met the nicest people in prison and the meanest people in prison,” Evans said. “The common theme among them—we all want to have hope.”

That message of hope will be at the center of his remarks as the guest speaker for the opening night of the 23rd Annual Bible Reading Marathon, set for May 1 in Cochran.

Evans said he plans to focus on the importance of Scripture and the role faith has long played in the community.

“I want to talk about why the Bible is important and how Cochran and Bleckley County has always been a community connected by our faith,” he said.

His path to education wasn’t always certain.

As a young man, Evans once planned to become a veterinarian. But after arriving at college and learning what that path required, he realized he wasn’t prepared to pursue it. Instead, he discovered he could be a strong student and began considering a future in higher education.

He went on to teach at Brewton-Parker College and Mercer University before eventually moving into public education—where his own experiences as a student helped shape the decisions he made for others.

Looking back, Evans offers simple but firm advice to the next generation.

“Never settle for the easy route,” he said.

He encourages students to challenge themselves academically, athletically, and spiritually.

“Take coursework that will ensure you are as successful as you can be,” he said. “Never settle… and abide in His will throughout life. Be thankful for His grace.”

Though his career has taken him across the state and into leadership at the highest levels, Evans’ message—and his roots—remain grounded in the same values that shaped his time in Bleckley County.