Eva Jean 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.

Eva Jean Smitherman

August 24, 1927 - August 24, 2012