Evelyn Viola Smith

Evelyn Viola Smith, 94, of Morton, IL and formerly of Green Valley, IL passed away at 4:38 pm on Friday, May 26 at her home.Her final days were spent with her family by her side.A late spring storm ushered her home and a beautiful sunset kissed her goodbye. Evelyn was born on July 19, 1922 in Green Valley to Delmar and Marguerite (Creager) Jones.She married the love of her life Elmer M. Smith on September 5, 1944 in Green Valley.Elmer passed away on September 19, 1992 and she missed him every day. Also preceding her in death were her parents and two brothers, Everett 'Bud' Jones and Ralph 'Ed' Jones. Evelyn knew and loved her Lord but the light of her mortal life was her family.She is survived by two daughters, Gloria (James) Perfetti of Delavan, IL and Cathy (William) Strawbridge of Morton, IL and one son, James (Pam) Smith Springfield, IL.Also surviving are her 11 grandchildren:Cristy Perfetti, Dina (Jim) Deany, Mike (Kathy) Perfetti and Lisa (Sam Stearns) Popejoy; Rebecca (Kevin) Holzhauer, Jennifer (Kevin) Eccles, and Zeke (Jenelle) Strawbridge; and Ryan (Cara) Smith, Matthew (Julie) Smith, Jason (Katie Galan) Smith and Taylor Smith.Her 22 great grandchildren are Josh Perfetti, Zak and Indigo Deany, Cade and Noah Perfetti, Sophia and Sydney Popejoy; Will and Lucy Holzhauer, Drew Dingledine, Karson, Parker, Max and Aubrey Eccles, Allison Evelyn and Samuel Strawbridge; Cole, Nellie and Fiona Evelyn Smith, Wyatt, Sawyer and Jasper Smith. The majority of Evelyn's life was helping her beloved husband on the farm.Besides taking care of the bookkeeping for their farm, Evelyn also served as a postal clerk and later as Postmaster of the Green Valley Post Office.She was a lifelong member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Green Valley and very active in the church's Women's Society over the years.While her greatest passion was spending time with her family, throughout different times in her life she enjoyed bowling, sewing, fishing with her husband and playing cards.She also enjoyed the company of the Green Valley Girls along with the Red Hat Ladies.She was a member of the Tazewell County Farm Bureau. Evelyn's children would like to thank the compassionate staff of The Villas of Hollybrook in Morton as well as the caring individuals of OSF Hospice in Peoria. These special people truly brought peace to her final days on earth. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, June 5, 2017 at the First United Presbyterian Church of Green Valley with Pastor Charles Houston officiating.Visitation will be from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 4, 2017 at the Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory, 2131 Velde Drive, Pekin, IL.Additional visitation will be from 9:45 AM to 10:15 AM on Monday, June 5, 2017 at the Church.Evelyn will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Green Valley Cemetery. The family asked that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to any of the following:The First United Presbyterian Church of Green Valley, the OSF Hospice of Peoria or the Epilepsy Foundation. Cemetery Green Valley Cemetery 300 S. Church street Green Valley,IL 61534 Service Monday, June 5, 2017 10:30 AM Green Valley Presbyterian church 300 S. Church Street Green Valley,IL 61534 Visitation Sunday, June 4, 2017 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home and Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,IL 61554 Visitation Monday, June 5, 2017 9:45 AM - 10:15 PM Green Valley Presbyterian church 300 S. Church Street Green Valley,IL 61534