Evelyn Mae Smith

Evelyn Mae (McGehee) Smith, 93, passed away on October 12, 2024 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. A service will be held at 10:00AM on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville. The daughter of Johnnie and Margaret (Paxton) McGehee, Evelyn was born October 3, 1931, on her maternal grandparents’ farm 3 miles west of Glencoe, Oklahoma. Although her childhood and youth were spent in the communities of Glencoe, Red Rock, White Eagle, Stillwater, and Ponca City, her favorite memories were of Glencoe where she often spent time at the Paxton farm with her brother and 12 cousins. Evelyn attended Long Branch one-room country school from 1st through 7th grades, then Red Rock school during 8th and 9th grades. She attended Ponca City High School during her sophomore year and Stillwater High School during her junior year. Returning to Ponca City for her senior year, she earned a high school diploma and graduated from beauty college, then moved to Bartlesville where she was employed as a licensed cosmetologist. In 1952, she returned to Ponca City to attend and graduate from business college. On December 31, 1952, Evelyn married Charles King Smith in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. They were married 64 years until his passing in 2017. In 1970, she began her business career at 66 Federal Credit Union and retired from Phillips Petroleum Company in 1986. Evelyn was a long-time member of Bartlesville First United Methodist Church where she attended the Homebuilders Sunday School class. She served Horace Mann Elementary School as a PTA member, fun night coordinator, and homeroom mother. She volunteered at the Washington County election board. Hobbies including gardening, bowling, square dancing, playing bridge, crafting, Friendship Force, and quilt-making kept her busy. She also enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and overseas with Friendship Force, visiting with friends, and following the lives of her family. Each of Evelyn’s five grandchildren were blessed to experience undivided quality time with Grandma during their early childhood. She is survived by her children: Ward Smith, Kelly Curtis (husband Paul), and Chuck Smith (wife Nancy). Those well-loved grandchildren are: Lisa Reid, Sean Curtis, Meghan Walling, Chelsea Ouelette (husband Corey), and Ryan Smith. She was the proud great-grandma of eight: Sophia, Arius, Micah, Bennett, Holden, Adeline, Camille, and Henry . Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles K. Smith, brother Donald Lee McGehee and his wife Imogene, and many cherished aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the care and compassion shown by the Brookdale South staff and the Jane Phillips Hospital 5th floor nurses. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to The Journey Home in Bartlesville.

Evelyn Mae Smith

October 3, 1931 - October 12, 2024