Eva Smith

Eva Lee Parton Smith was born in Anniston, Alabama September 6, 1927 and was raised in Ohatchee, Alabama.

She was a dedicated member of Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Vestavia for 47 years from the time her family moved to Alabama in 1976 until her death. This was her “extended” family.

She and her husband, Clarence “Smitty” Smith, were married 47 years until his death in 2001. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvis Pinkney Parton and Eva Elanor Parton, her husband, Clarence Lee Smith, Jr., her son, Clarence Lee Smith III, Her brothers Alvis Pinkney Parton, Jr., Carl Edward Parton [Carolyn], and by her sister, Mary Emma Acker [Gerald].

She is survived by her daughter, Kim Smith Canady [James M. “Mo”], her two grandchildren, Katherine Canady Tollin [Tyler] and James Lee Canady [Kacie], four great grandchildren, Bailey Alexandria Tollin, Damon Andrew Tollin, Jolene Abbington Canady, and James Mark Canady, along with five nephews and two nieces.

A special thanks to her caregivers – Kim Haygood, Joan Self, Katherine Tollin, Jackie Wilson, and Affinity Hospice team members – Stephanie Sansing, Jeff Howard, Angela Rotter, Krishay Smith and Sonia Vinson along with Darlene Sommers, who provided amazing end-of-life care.

She began teaching elementary school at age 17 and continued teaching while working on and receiving a BS Degree in Education from Jacksonville State University. She then went on to receive her master’s degree from Peabody (now Vanderbilt) University. She taught at the elementary school level until 1960. In 1982, she began teaching preschool for another 12+ years. She had a genuine love for young children along with flower gardening.

She was a faithful servant of God, and always endeavored to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.

Her celebration of life will be held at Currie-Jefferson Memorial in Hoover, on Saturday April 8, 2023 at 2pm. The family will receive friends before the service from 1 to 2pm. Graveside service will be held at Oak Bowery Baptist Church in Ohatchee. Pall bearers will be her grandsons and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the children’s ministry at Saint Mark