Evelyn Smith

Evelyn Brenke Smith, a longtime resident of Houston, always graceful and kind, died peacefully at age 96 on October 17, 2021. She was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to Charles G and Annie Kate Brenke. After graduating from Sacred Heart School in 1941, she worked at Military Post Camp Shelby as a secretary. There she met her future husband, Charles L Smith of Houston, who had returned from his Army tour serving in the liberation of Europe. Evelyn moved to NYC continuing her secretarial work as well as selling War Bonds, marrying Charles in front of friends on Dec 27, 1947. Evelyn spent the next 17 years living in Venezuela and Colombia with Charles raising their 4 children. She learned to speak Spanish fluently, perfected her household entertaining skills, and made life long Venezuelan, Colombian and Ex-pat friends. Evelyn grew to love the Latin American culture and its people, which would influence the rest of her life. The family moved back to Houston in June of 1965 where her children were enrolled in school and Evelyn continued her pursuit of learning and practicing the many creative skills associated with a home. Evelyn discovered floral design within garden clubs and participated at every level, from neighborhood to National. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charlie, sisters Jeanne Roseberry and Dorothy Scheppelman and brother Charles G Jr. She is survived by her brother C Edward, her daughters and sons-in law Daphne and Michael Light, Adrienne and John Purcell, her sons Thomas BT Smith and Charlie and daughter-in-law Laurie Smith, grandchildren Paul, Brian, and Jason Light and their respective spouses Jen, Amanda, and Tiffany, Andrew Purcell, Daniel and wife Krystal Purcell, Amy and husband Richard Clark, Sean Purcell, Ian and wife Mindy Purcell, Cory Purcell, Patrick Smith and wife Skye Stewart-Short, Anna and Martin Smith and their mother Maria and fifteen great-grandchildren. A Funeral service will be held on Sunday Oct 24, 2021 at 11:00 am in the Memorial Oaks Texas Liberty Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77079. Internment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.