Evelyn Geniece Smith

She professed an interest in Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Mt. Olive Baptist Church under the direction of Reverend H. A. Sneed. She enjoyed a lifetime living in Austin for over 80 years; having been born in the growing East Austin Community, beginning in the mid-1930s. Attending its historic Rosewood, Kealing and, of course, the original L.C. Anderson High School. She began her early adult years by uniting in Holy Matrimony with her High School sweetheart Mr. Otis Smith, Sr. and to this union three children were born – Trenell, Otis, Jr. and Carolyn Ann. Both worked three jobs at the same time in their early years of their marriage to provide their family with financial security and support; this allowed them to thrive and prosper as rewards for their hard labor.

In the late 1970s and 1980s, after their three children had graduated from high school and college; Evelyn and Otis, Sr. were able to pursue recreational interests which involved travels from Los Angeles to New York by car; as well as several years of family plane trips to Las Vegas. These family trips bring back very special memories. Evelyn enjoyed the shows and the casino, while Otis spent most of his time in the Casino Sports Bars. The 15-20 members of the family who participated in these trips will cherish these memories forever.

The 1980s and 1990s also provided Evelyn and Otis with the opportunity to pursue lifelong dreams of entrepreneurship. They opened a music shop called “Mr. DJ’s Record and Tapes”.

Her faith came first in her home and life and she made sure her children attended “every” Sunday School, Sunday and Afternoon Service at Mt. Olive; all were an essential and enjoyed part of the Smith Family life. These worships were followed by Evelyn’s fabulous Sunday dinner; which usually was “fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and cornbread (her husband’s favorite meal). In 1961, the “Dallas Cowboys” game also became a part of the “Sunday Family Time”.

Faith, Family and Friends came first to Evelyn as she was well known, adored and respected by all who knew her. Her kind, generous, yet authoritative manner earned the adoration and respect of her East Austin neighbors, as well as, her colleagues at Austin Independent School District’s Blackshear Elementary School. Evelyn worked at Blackshear for over 30 years until her retirement.

Proceeding her in death are; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ras and Janie Roe Bolden, two sisters, Helen Elizabeth Barrett; and, Emma Mae Walker Spears; and, one brother, Jay Lee Bolden.

She leaves an entire family to mourn her memory; yet, cherish her life; and celebrate her “homegoing”.

Her Husband of 64 years, Mr. Otis Smith, Sr.

Her Daughters: Trenell Smith Sanders Johnson and Carolyn Ann Powell; and, one son, Otis Smith, Jr.

Her Siblings: Cora Ann (Bolden) Eusery and her husband Edward, Sr. of Pflugerville, TX. Mary Louise (Bolden) Wright and her husband Ronald of Pflugerville, TX. Richard Lee Bolden of Pflugerville, TX.

Her Nieces and Nephews: Delores Spears, Barbara Barrett, Sylvia Barrett, Angela Eusery, Bearin Spears, Michael Spears, Edward Eusery, Jr., Myron Bolden and Ronald Wright, Jr.

Her Grandchildren: Nicole Patrice (Sanders) Miller and her husband Charles of Austin, TX. Stephanie Trenell (Sanders) Blunt and her husband Gregory of Cypress, TX. Shaun’te Latisse Monic (Goins) Branch and her husband David of Round Rock, TX. Dionne Geniece (Fryer) Alexander and her husband Sedrick of Austin, TX. Evelyn Jeannette (Johnson) Nichols and her husband Cord of Austin, TX. Crystal Ann Fryer of Round Rock, TX.

Her Great-Grandchildren: Brandon, Brittne, Brooke, Braelen and Brianna Miller; Jordan Blunt; Jayda and Simone Branch; Sedrick, Trinity and Dedrick Alexander; Malaya and Mariah Nichols and Malkia Mann; Christopher Follie.

Also, a host of other relatives, friends, cousins, nieces, nephews, and; a Great-Aunt, Daisy M. Roe, who is over 90 years old.

Funeral services for Evelyn Smith will take place at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 1, 2017, in the Memorial Chapel of Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Committal services will follow at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home.

Visit Evelyn’s memorial at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com where you can share memories and leave condolences for her family.