CLEVELAND | The Truett McConnell softball program has declared Thursday, March 16, 2017, as Evann Todd Day when the Bears host No. 13 Georgia Gwinnett at 2 p.m. Prior to the start of the doubleheader, members of Evann's family will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and then the family will be presented with a framed jersey that was worn by Evann, that will be hung outside of the TMU softball locker room. Also that day, the Jack P. Nix chorus will sing the national anthem prior to the start of the second game of the twinbill.

Evann Todd was a member of the softball team from 2011-14. 

Evann Michelle Todd, 25, of Waycross, died early Sunday morning, February 12, 2017, after a sudden illness.
 
Born in Waycross, she was a 2010 graduate of Ware County High School. She earned a softball scholarship to Truett McConnell University in Cleveland, where she graduated in 2014 with a degree in psychology, specializing in sports psychology.  During her time at Truett McConnell, she served on a mission trip to Thailand in 2011, and worked as a camp counselor for Kids Across America in Branson, Missouri.

She became affiliated with the Childers Family YMCA in Waycross at the age of 16. During her time with the Childers Family YMCA, she worked as a counselor at Camp Reveille for kids, athletic director for Camp Watitoh in Becket, Massachusetts, a lifeguard and served as interim aquatics director. She was then named Aquatics Director for the Tiftarea YMCA in Tifton, where she had served for the past year. She was passionate about her job and was very excited about two new programs she was establishing during her time there. She began the Tiftarea YMCA "Learn to Swim" pilot program, as well as an exercise program for cancer survivors through the Livestrong Foundation. 

Growing up in Waycross, she was active in Jamestown Baptist Church, Freedom Community Church and, most recently, Journey Church in Tifton. She loved animals and was an innovative poet and creative artist.  She loved to write, especially words or notes of encouragement to family and friends.  She will forever be remembered as a kind and loving person, who had a heart for helping and encouraging others.  

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, William H. Strickland.

Survivors include her parents, Michael and Holley Todd of Waycross; two brothers, Ethan Todd of Athens, and Aaron Todd of Waycross; a sister, Abigail Todd of Waycross; her maternal grandmother, Lawanna King of Waycross, her paternal grandparents, Sampie and Georgia Todd of Waycross and numerous aunts, uncles and other relatives. 

Please join us Thursday as we remember Evann and honor her family. All gate funds and donations raised from Evann Todd day will be deposited into the newly established TMU Evann Todd Missions Fund, a fund named after Evann that will assist softball players who desire to go on mission trips affiliated with the University.

To watch a tribute video to Evann that head softball coach Jenni Shepard created using an audio file of her mother that was played at her memorial service, click HERE.