Evelyn “Evie” Louise Smith

1954-2019

We lost a servant leader when Evelyn “Evie” Louise Smith passed away Monday, March 4 following a 10-year journey with melanoma cancer.

Evie is survived by her husband of 37 years, Chuck Keiser; her son, Stith Keiser, Stith’s wife, Erin Keiser; her daughter, Rebecca Keiser, and Rebecca’s husband, John McGeoch; and by her siblings, Harwell Smith III and Wayne Smith.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Harwell Smith Jr. and Louise Hocking Smith.

Evie grew up in Oak Ridge, Tenn. She earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Transylvania University, an M.S. in Special Education and Deaf Education from the University of Tennessee, and an M.A. in School Guidance and Counseling from Auburn University. She was an advocate for anyone that needed one. Her habit of counseling others started in middle school and continued until her death. Her love of and for the children at the Kentucky School for the Deaf was legendary. After teaching there in the late 70s and early 80s, she moved to Auburn to work and teach while Chuck went to Veterinary School. Evie and Chuck returned to Danville in 1985. She was a counselor for the Boyle County Middle School for two years then returned to KSD as a middle and high school counselor until her retirement in 2009. She and her family regularly hosted KSD kids for fishing, riding, and cookouts at the farm.

Evie was involved in her church. She was a Deacon and instrumental in starting the Stephen Ministry program at the Presbyterian Church in Danville, serving as a Stephen Leader until her death. She was involved in multiple other ministries including setting up water purification systems in Mexico, building a seminary in Mexico, rebuilding homes in New Orleans after Katrina, and traveling with Rotary to provide polio vaccinations for children in India to name just a few. She was active in ADK (a sorority for educators) as well as serving on the KSD Foundation and Kentucky Adapt Board.

Evie was an incredible wife and mother. She supported, encouraged and inspired her husband and children. She loved to hike, camp, travel with her family and girlfriends, and horseback ride. Whether it was singing, dancing or writing murder mysteries for her annual Family Gatheration (reunion), her zest for life was contagious.

In the words of one of her nephews, “we have lost a tough, I mean tough, strong, resilient, considerate, selfless, servant…there will never be another like her.”

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to the Legacy Fund at The Presbyterian Church of Danville, 500 West Main St, Danville, KY 40422, Heritage Hospice, 120 Enterprise Dr, Danville, KY 40422, or The Melanoma Research Foundation, www.melanoma.org, would be greatly appreciated.

A memorial service will be held for Evie on Saturday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. at The Presbyterian Church of Danville.

Somerset Undertaking Company and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.