Eva Lyons Filer, 88, died peacefully on October 14, 2018 at St. Martin’s in the Pines, Birmingham, Alabama. She was born March 18, 1930 in Birmingham to the late Eva Olga Early Lyons and Lester Boswell Lyons. She is survived by her four children Patrick Henry Smith (Linda), Russell Lyons Smith (Davilyn), Philip Scott Smith (Jeff), Elizabeth Smith Webb (Mike) and sisters Evelyn Norris and Dorothy Capps. Eva has eight grandchildren, Melissa Leigh Smith, Kelsey Marin Smith, David Russell Smith (Abby), Lauren Elizabeth Smith, Madeleine Webb Spearman (Sam), Patton Lyons Webb, Caroline Elizabeth Webb and Margaret Ellen Webb. She is predeceased by her husband Alvin Victor Filer, Jr., but survived by his children David Victor Filer (Brenda), Daniel Kenneth Filer, Carol Filer DeBoer (Larry) and grandchildren Abby Elizabeth Filer, Sarah Grace Filer, Dylan Peter DeBoer and Kathryn Grace DeBoer. First husband Patrick Henry Smith and sister Alice Rose also predecease her.
Eva spent her early years in Woodlawn, Alabama. Her father died at age 37, leaving her mother to raise four young girls alone. Despite difficult times, Eva and her sisters have fond memories of their childhood and remained close throughout their lives. Eva graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1948 and then worked at Tennessee Iron, Coal and Railroad Company and United States Steel Corporation. She was a devoted and loving parent, volunteering for Boy Scouts, school carnivals, swim meets, track meets, cheerleading events, piano recitals, field trips and many other activities. She truly loved being a mother, often saying that her children and grandchildren were the greatest joy of her life. As her children grew older, Eva attended Jefferson State Junior College and re-entered the workforce. In 1992, she married Al Filer and remained married to him until his death in 2014. Eva retired from the Medical Television department of the University of Alabama in June of 1993 and joined Al in retirement, traveling and spoiling grandchildren.
Throughout her life, Eva enjoyed dancing, playing bridge, watching birds, reading, tending flowers, playing golf and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Dawson Family of Faith where she worshipped and attended Sunday school whenever possible. She had an easy smile, an infectious laugh and a great sense of humor that endeared her to everyone that she encountered. Through the kindness, love and encouragement that came so naturally to her, Eva’s beautiful life here on earth touched many and she will be deeply missed.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. on November 4, 2018, immediately followed by a Celebration of Eva's Life at 2 p.m. at Southern Heritage, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, Alabama. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
