VALDOSTA — On Friday evening, Tamara Jones stood under a billboard flashing the face of her missing son, Derrick “Tank” Evans Jr., as part of a renewed effort to bring him home.

Evans, who was 26 years old when he disappeared in November 2020, was last seen at Magnolia Square Apartments. A friend reported that Evans mentioned expecting a visitor before vanishing without a trace. Despite searches and investigations, no significant leads have emerged.

Thanks to support from Lamar Advertising, five digital billboards featuring Evans’ photo and case information will remain across Valdosta through April 30. The timing holds special meaning: April 24 would have been Evans’ birthday. Jones, who organized Friday’s gathering at 1303 Baytree Road, said she hopes the new outreach will help push Tank’s story back into the public eye. 

“We are just trying to get it out there, get the story pushed out a lot more than what it is getting pushed,” Jones said. “Open up the media, so that they can see that this is important. This means a lot to us.”

Surrounded by supporters and family members, Jones handed out flyers, shared memories of her son, and spoke about the emotional toll the last five years have taken.

“He’s very respectful. You could depend on him. He was an honest person,” Jones said. “Even though this happened, he was very dependable and very loyal to a lot of people.”

The nickname “Tank” came from Evans’ childhood, Jones explained with a smile. 

“He had a big head when he was a baby, and he could not control it. His dad was calling him ‘Tank,’ and then everybody started calling him ‘Tank.’”

Jones described the past five years as a painful journey marked by grief and isolation.

“It’s hard. Nobody could take this. You have got to be a strong individual to stand and do all of this,” she said. “I know, I get very antisocial. So to see all these people today on this journey with me — it’s something I have not done in a long time.”

For Jones, Friday’s event marked a big step toward gaining the support and exposure she has long sought. Jones is urging anyone who may have seen her son or has information about his whereabouts to reach out. Jones can be reached through Facebook Messenger at her account, Tamara Jones, or by contacting the Valdosta Police Department at (229) 293-3145.

“I just need help —  if anybody out there sees my son — please contact me in any way,” Jones said.