eva jean (duke) smitherman
SMITHERMAN,
EVA JEAN Age 85, of Hoover, went to be with the Lord on August 24,
2012. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Erskine Ramsey
"Buck" Smitherman and her parents Sam and Martha Eva Duke. She is
survived by her children, Gene Smitherman (Suzanne) of Chattanooga, TN,
Jan Padalino (Mike) of Birmingham, AL, Barry Smitherman (Marsha) of
Franklin, TN, and Julie Rich (Scott) of Atlanta, GA. She is also
survived by eleven grandchildren, Matthew Smitherman (Jen) and Eleanor
Smitherman of Seattle, WA, Caroline Henry (Patrick) of Georgetown,
Guyana, South America, Lauren Nichols (Hunter) and Meredith Haughton
(Roger) of Mountain Brook, AL, Scott Kilpatrick (Lauren) and Ryan
Kilpatrick of Atlanta, GA, Carol Ragin (Marc) of Madison, WS, Connie
Rich of Cambridge, England, Katie Smitherman and William Smitherman of
Franklin, TN, and four precious great grandchildren (and one of the
way), Rollins Haughton of Mountain Brook, AL, Charlie Smitherman of
Seattle, WA and Norah Henry and Katherine Eva "Little Eva" Henry of
Georgetown, Guyana, South America. Eva Jean grew up and lived most of
her adult life in Bessemer, AL, and later moved to Hoover, AL. Whether
she was serving as a Deacon at First Presbyterian of Bessemer or later
serving as an active member of Valleydale Church, coordinating
activities for the "No Name Club" which she founded, or hosting the
Southlake Community Bible Study weekly for 14 years at her home, Eva
Jean was always found helping others with a big smile on her face.
Before you could finish telling her about a need, she had found a
solution and a way to help. Most recently, Eva Jean lived in the
Danberry at Inverness community. There she founded a weekly church
service for the members and started the annual Danberry Fashion Show.
An avid sports fan, you would often find her cheering for Alabama
football, making her March Madness basketball brackets or watching a
NASCAR race. But, her most favorite pastime was spending time with her
family and doing things for them. She was known for sending uplifting
cards and gifts to family members and surprising friends and loved ones
with random acts of kindness. The family would like to give special
thanks to Dr. Andrea White, Leah Ashworth-Edge, CRNP, the 7th floor
nurses and patient care assistants of Brookwood Hospital and Amedisys
Hospice. Please join Eva Jean's family in celebrating her life on
Tuesday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian of Bessemer, 1723
Third Ave. North, Bessemer, AL. Visitation will take place at the
church one hour before the service. Burial will be at Valhalla
Cemetery. Memorials can be made to the Presbyterian Children's Home
located in Talladega, AL. Friends are welcome to sign the online
registry book at bessemerfh.com >