Evelyn (Kerchief) Smith, 98, of Jacksonville, Florida, gained her wings at 7:54 PM, Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at McGraw Community Hospice in Jacksonville. Evelyn was born November 30, 1924, in Evansville, Indiana, daughter of Willard M & Margaret (Caldwell) Kerchief. After graduating high school, she trained at a riveting school for twelve weeks and went to work at a war plant. She worked on the airplane wings until the war ended and the plant closed. She then went to Bramwell’s Business College in Evansville, Indiana. She was able to work in the office to pay for her schooling. While finishing school she took a job at the baby shop. After work on Friday’s, she would meet her girlfriends at a dance hall in downtown Evansville that was sponsored by a church. There was an old train station downtown that was turned into a USO where the soldiers would come and stay on weekends, and many would go to that dance hall where Evelyn met the love of her life, John J. Smith Jr. in January 1946. They were married on June 16, 1946. She was a perfect career military wife, joining her husband on duty stations at home and abroad. On unaccompanied deployments she stayed on the home front working, raising her boys and helping family. She held many jobs over the years and volunteered her time with the USO among other organizations as well as being an avid crocheter, but her biggest passion was her love of family. She always said, “If you only have only one person in this world that loves you, you’re doing good”. She never let one leave from a visit without telling them “I love you a million bushel’s”. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1996 after the passing of her husband to be closer to family. She joined the Jacksonville Beach Garden club and worked with Destinations, a group that arranged trips for Sr. Friends and they traveled on many adventures. At the age of 90 she was still driving and in fact she passed the vision, written and driving tests with flying colors! There was nothing she couldn’t achieve if she wanted to. She was an incredibly determined woman in life and passed into eternity the same way that she lived.
Evelyn was predeceased by her parents Willard M. & Margaret (Caldwell) Kerchief, her husband of 52 years, John Joseph Smith Jr., brother Raymond D. Kerchief, half-brother Willard H. Kerchief Jr, half-Sister Elsie Kerchief, Nephews Keith Kerchief, Brian Kerchief and Jerry Kerchief as well as niece Donna Jean (Kerchief) Noriega. She is survived by brother, Shirley M. (Bud) Kerchief of Evansville, Indiana, Sons, Stephen M. Smith of Jacksonville, Florida, and Raymond L Smith (Nancy) of Blanchard, Oklahoma Daughter In-Law Kathleen Smith Jewell of Neptune Beach, Florida. Grandchildren, Michael W. Smith (Jennifer) of Jacksonville, Florida, Kimberly Smith Candelaria (Edgardo) of Green Cove Springs, Florida, Courtney Smith Stahl (Jason) of Gainesville, Florida, Brittney Smith Odom (Bobby) of Midlothian, Texas, and Ashley Smith of Mooresville, North Carolina. Great grandchildren Jordan Smith, Nadia Candelaria, Sean Candelaria, Jonah Stahl, Joel Stahl, Wyatt Odom, Rylan Odom and Lila Odom. Many nieces and nephews close to her heart including Kris, Shirley, Mark, Julie, Danny, Greg, Paul, Tommy, Norman, Diane, Janet, Sylvia, Little Evelyn, Willard Jr, Gerri Anne, Angela and Jimmy.
She will be interred at Jacksonville National Cemetery date to be determined. In Lue of Flowers, those wishing to remember Evelyn may make a donation on her behalf to the American Legion Post 129, 1151 S 4th St, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250.
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