Evelyn Hudman Smith

She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings Wylie Hudman and Kathryn Hudman Rhea, and her husband, David Edgar Smith.

After graduating from high school in Alpine, Texas, Evelyn came to Lubbock with her family and continued her education at Texas Tech, where she earned both a BA and a Master’s degree, and where she met and married David in 1933. She hosted a radio show on KFYO in the 30’s and later followed David around the U.S. to his varied Air Force assignments until he was sent overseas during World War II. Evelyn taught school in San Angelo, Texas; House, New Mexico; and in Lubbock for 32 years. She began as a classroom teacher (and sometime basketball and/or football coach) and later became one of LISD’s first speech therapists. She never stopped studying and working to improve her professional skills, and she poured her life into her students. During this time she met Charlie Moss, a five-year-old pupil who became her very special and permanent friend.

After Evelyn’s retirement in 1975, she and Dave spent several years travelling and trailering with dear friends, Fred and Ginny Nelson. When she became a widow she also became an ardent full time volunteer. She was active at First United Methodist Church, serving in many roles in her Sunday School class, her United Methodist Women’s circle, and the Lay Shepherd Ministry. She also held numerous offices in Delta Kappa Gamma, Lubbock Women’s Study Club, and the Retired Teachers’ Association. Evelyn enjoyed playing bridge with her friends almost every week, but her favorite activity was working with Charlie to clean the kitchen at Ronald McDonald House, where she was named Volunteer of the Year. In 2009 Evelyn received the Volunteer Center of Lubbock’s prestigious Ray Diekemper “Lifetime of Community Service” Award.

The family wishes to express our deep appreciation to the wonderful caregivers from Home Instead Senior Care and from VistaCare Hospice. Anyone desiring to make a memorial gift may do so for the benefit of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Southwest (3413 10th Street, Lubbock, TX 79415); the Friends of Music Fund at First United Methodist Church (1411 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79401); or a charity of his or her choice.

Evelyn is loved and missed by her many friends and her extensive family, including her nieces and nephews Barbara Hudman Saunders, Ryn and Russell Bowers, and Roxanne and Hud Rhea (who all considered Evelyn their “other mother.”) Evelyn’s family in Lubbock includes Marifrances Wylie, Linda and Steve Streetman, and Keenie and Jack Kyle. Her cousins Alice and Chuck Graham of Georgetown head the list of five generations of cousins and great, great-great, and great-great-grand nieces and nephews who cherish lasting memories of all the fun and all the wisdom Evelyn provided. She was a tiny lady who made a giant impact and left behind an enormous throng of admirers

A celebration of Evelyn’s life will be held on Monday, May 2nd, 2011 at 10 am in Resthaven’s Abbey Chapel. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, from 2-5 pm. Condolences may be offered at www.resthavenfuneralhome.com

ngements under the direction of Resthaven Funeral Home & Cemetery, Lubbock, TX.