Evelyn Paige Lewis

Evelyn Paige (Smith) Lewis, 76, passed away on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. Evelyn was born March 24, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas to John Edward Smith and Virginia Lee Peebles Smith. She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, and later married Kenneth Hutsell who died in 1981.

Evelyn was fiercely independent and a hard worker. One of her first jobs was in food service at Kansas City’s legendary Town Topic. Later on while she was working at King Louie West Bowling Alley, in Overland Park, Kansas, she met and married the love of her life, George S. Lewis in 1990. Their son, Michael Andrew Lewis, was born in 1991 – a delightful surprise and a high point in life for both Evelyn and George. A few years later, doctors delivered a devastating diagnosis: primary pulmonary hypertension, with a prognosis that offered little hope of survival. But Evelyn refused to accept the odds against her. With unyielding spirit and the aid of medical advancements, she lived nearly 29 years beyond what was thought possible. George Lewis, beloved husband and father, predeceased her in 2010.

Evelyn’s parents John (“Jack”) and Virginia Lee Smith, and her grandmothers, Kathryn and MamaGrace, also preceded her in death. Soon after losing her husband George, Evelyn grieved the loss of both her brother, John Edward Smith II, and sister Laura Beth (Reeder) Foster, who passed away in 2012. She is survived by her son Michael (and his partner Raven), whose loving care made her life beautiful “no matter what,” and in whose memory she breathes easy. Additionally, she leaves behind sisters: Jerry Ann Nevill, Rachel Grace Reeder, Jeanne Reeder, and Kathy (Andy) Cooksey, as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and great-nieces.

The family is also grateful to Dr Jim Boyes and his nurse Marci Reever of Shawnee Mission Primary Care (De Soto, Kansas) and to Dr. Leslie A. Spikes and her team at the University of Kansas Medical Center for their caring, patience, and love for Evelyn over many years, and to the ICU staff at CenterPoint hospital for their support during her last admission.

In lieu of, or in addition to, flowers, the family asks for donations be made in Evelyn’s honor to the Johnson and Johnson Patient Assistance Program.