Eva L. Patterson

Eva accepted Christ at an early age and united with the First Church of Christian Scientist in 1994. For her, Christian Science marked the end of a “long journey for healing. She was looking for the works of Jesus to be evident in physical health. Eva wanted to experience more faith, more hope, but in an intelligent, orderly way.” She was graceful, eloquent and effective and understood what her purpose was, believing that “thought automatically externalized itself as the body that as we walk in the truth our body reflects that.” Outside of being the only journal listed Christian Science Practitioner (CSP) that served the South Bend area for many years, Eva was also the very first African American CSP in the region. Throughout both her personal and professional life, Eva accomplished many firsts. Eva served as second reader, and from 1998 to 2001, she served as first reader. Eva was very active in the church, serving as Chairman of the Executive Board, Committee Chair for both the Outreach, Metaphysical, and Bylaws committee; as well as, Superintendent of the Sunday School. In the South Bend community Eva was an active participant serving as President of Transforming Action through Power (TAP) and a member of the TAP Executive Board.

Eva has a master’s degree in American and English Literature from Colorado State University and a bachelor’s degree in English and Biology from Stillman College, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Eva married her college sweetheart, Roger T. Smedley Jr., in 1957. They were married for 17 years before he preceded her in death from heart failure in 1974. From that union was born four children, Roger Tillman III, Reba Tamara, Ramona Tiara and Roderick Theodore. In later years she met and married David Patterson and they were married for 30 years before he preceded her in death in 2015.

Eva was a professor and teacher of English and taught for more than 33 years. Her final teaching position was with the South Bend Community School Corporation at LaSalle High School where she retired in 1998. In recent years she relocated to Azusa, California where she spent her days reading, writing and studying, in depth, the Christian Science faith. Eva loved traveling, celebrating holidays, spending time with her children and grandchildren, bowling, playing cards, choir, line dancing, long walks and meditation. Her love for God and family was very evident.

She leaves to cherish her memories her children, Roger (Pamela) T. Smedley III, Reba (Robert) T. Hayes, Ramona (Oyedotun) T. Smedley-Oyesanmi, Roderick T. Smedley; sister, Gloria Whale; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.