Evadean Louise Smith

Evadean Louise Smith was born May 27, 1928 in San Bernardino, California, with her first home in Colton.

Her parents, Carl and Virginia Dahl, had two more children, Lorraine and Roy, in Redlands, where Carl was an orange grower. Young Evadean - “Deanie” - was very close to her Cherokee grandmother.

Evie was a talented and popular child, enjoying tap dance lessons from an early age. She was bright and curious, spending much of her time at the library. She loved dogs, as many of her childhood pictures attest, and continued owning them throughout her life. She worked alongside her grandmother in the summer, packing oranges and peaches. Becoming a strong swimmer allowed her to get a job as a lifeguard at the public pool instead, which she enjoyed much more.

Evie truly blossomed at Redlands High School. Her artistic abilities shone not only in drawing classes, but especially in sewing and clothing design. She was a pom-pom girl, a dancer, a member of Daisy Chain and other girls’ clubs, and was voted Queen of the Winter Wonderland Ball. She bought her first car in 1947, and taught herself to drive. She looked forward to every class reunion, attending them faithfully.

She married fellow Redlands graduate Roger H. Smith in 1948. Roger attended Occidental College, where Evie’s decorating and home economics training helped them entertain a wide circle of friends. Bridge nights, dinner parties, and even weekend snow trips were all part of the fun.

They had three children, Stephen, Kimberly, and Nancy, and eventually moved to Whittier. Evie formed many close friendships there, and also found her spiritual path in the Church of Religious Science. She met her second husband, Walter J. Smith, on the steps of the church. They married in 1965, the family now including Walt’s grown children Brooke and Kate (nee Judee).

A big move to the new Nohl Ranch development in the City of Orange afforded more opportunities for Evie’s creativity and skills, which expanded to upholstery, wallpaper, and gold leaf, while Walt, with Steve’s help, tackled building projects. Evie saw her life’s work as home maker and executive wife, as well as mom. Evie also found fulfillment in the Republican Women’s Club of Orange. Her political beliefs and patriotism were always a key part of her life.

Grandchildren began to come along, and Aunt Evie was very beloved by her nieces and nephews, and eventual great-grands, too.

She and Walt downsized as the last of the kids moved out, first to Anaheim Hills, then to the desert they both loved. When not golfing there, they vacationed on Maui with friends from their Whittier days, always taking in a PGA tournament.

1994 brought a monumental change to Evie's life, when she learned her biological father was not Carl Dahl. Her intensive search for answers resulted in a joyful meeting with her half-brother, Louis Wood, Jr., and a reframing of childhood memories.

After Walt’s death in 2002, Evie bought a home in the Sun Lakes community in Banning. In her 98 years, she never moved out of California; she was proud of her native heritage.

The last years found her back in the City of Orange, where she passed peacefully Sept. 5, 2026 - though Evie might have said that she transitioned to a higher plane of consciousness.