Eva Belle Smith was born in Granite City, IL on April 25, 1920 a daughter to John Alfred and Ellen Nora (nee Coleman) Whitsell. She died on December 19, 2014 at the Baptist Home in Ironton at the age of 94. She is survived by her two daughters: Juanita (Gary) Lidholm, Denver, CO and Linda (Dr. Edwin) Bowe, Nicholasville, KY; two grandchildren: Jayne (Steven Tamez) Lidholm and Ryan Elizabeth Bowe; and a great-grandchild: Julian Jayson Tamez. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband: Frank Smith; a sister: Ione Milhollen; an infant sister; and a grandson: Jason and is wife Jessica Lidholm.
After starting her family Eva Belle went college to earn her a B.S. in education from Washington University. She began her teaching career at Sunrise School and then later was employed by and retired from the Festus School District. She was a member of the First Baptist Church-Festus/Crystal City where she taught Sunday School for 20 years. She also served as Worthy Patron of the Dillon Chapter #16 O.E.S., was Past President of Jefferson County Baptist Women, belonged to the N.E.A. the Missouri State Retired Teachers Association, and was a member of Phi Theta Capa. The Dillon Chapter O.E.S. will hold their memorial service on Sunday, December 21 at 7:00PM. Gary Lidholm will officiate the funeral services. As an expression of sympathy memorial donations may be made to the Missouri Home for Aged Baptists, P.O. Box 87, Ironton, MO 63650.