Verland Evans Smith
“Bon Voyage”
Our Verland embarked on her final adventure September 11, 2004 and died as she lived – suitcase packed with plans to visit family in southern Utah.
Born June 19, 1910 in Lehi, Utah to Edith and Sylvester Evans, Verland graduated from Lehi High School with honors. She attended Heneger School of Business and was employed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Myton, Utah where she fell in love with her lifelong sweetheart, Emory C. Smith, who caught her eye because he wore a starched white shirt to the dance. The two worked hand in hand for over 50 years, sharing the responsibilities of operating a thriving family livestock enterprise in northeastern Utah. In addition to her work at the ranch, she held prominent positions at the local and national levels of the Women’s Woolgrowers Auxiliary, including president of the national organization. She was one of the founders of the “Make it Yourself With Wool Contest,” and she wrote radio plays for the National Woolgrowers.
As work on the ranch wound down, Verland had more time to pursue other talents and interests. At the age of 50 she began traveling the world, and she explored every continent but Antarctica and South America. One of her favorite trips was a cruise down the Nile River in Egypt. At 55, she took up painting with oils and watercolors and eventually exhibited 50 of her favorite works in a Park City gallery.
Verland lived a physically active life. She loved to golf and was a member of the Fort Douglas-Hidden Valley Country Club. She participated in a bowling league and enjoyed brisk daily walks through her neighborhood. She was swimming the day before she died.
She was a fearless woman who lived her life to the fullest and never sweated the small stuff. She was as proud of her family and their accomplishments as we are of hers. In her 80th year, she went up in a hot air balloon and hit a hole-in-one on the golf course. She enjoyed reading, playing bridge, cooking, and treating her friends and family to parties in her lovely home.
Verland is survived by her sister, Karma Whimpey; brothers Dick, Keith, and Sterling Evans; children Sidney (Gary) Creer of St. George, Utah; Allan (Shirley) Smith of Roosevelt, Utah; Mac (Mary) Smith of Hanford, California; and Lee (Sally) Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.
We will celebrate her life Thursday, September 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South in Salt Lake City, where friends may call from 9:30 a.m. prior to services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Salt Lake chapter of the Assistance League, 2060 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84109
Showing posts with label Verland Edith Evans Smith - Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Verland Edith Evans Smith - Stories. Show all posts
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Verland & Emory Smith
Verland & Emory - Sunday Brunch 1948
Verland & Emory - Barbuecue 1958
Verland & Emory - 1957
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Letter from Sylvester Evans
Verland Edith Evans Smith's Father
Dear Verland and Emory,
Sometime ago your family asked me to write a few things about what I knew about you, but at that time my body and mind were operating on about one cylinder so I failed to fill that request. But after reading some of the fine articles and comments by members of my family, I will write a post script and tell of some events that no one still alive can tell.
Edith and I made a good start by being married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 1, 1909. The first event I will mention took place on that early summer morning of June 19, 1910. I called the doctor who I learned was at the home of my brother, John S. Evans. The doctor came to the phone and said, “I’ve just delivered a fine baby girl to your sister-in-law.” I said, “Well, you hurry over here and deliver me a baby girl.” He said, “I’ll be there.” Well, within the nest hour we had a lovely girl with dark eyes and lots of black hair. So the two cousins came into this world about 90 minutes apart. These two babies were born in houses we lived in then and not in the 3 to 5 hundred dollar priced homes of today.
No baby got better care than our baby did at the hands of Sister Long, our midwife and nurse. Of course dear Aunt Ba did her part. Verland was a bright baby and learned very fast and she was the pride of the neighborhood. She learned to walk at 11 months but couldn’t get up by herself for several weeks later. So when she would walk down to the corral to see the chickens, pigs, cows and horses she would fall down and we would go down and place her upright and she would walk back to the house.
Verland was a very bright child and in school she was very active and received high marks in her studies. She had a mind of her own but was considerate of us and other people. She always chose good companions and never gave us much to worry about. She had a number of boy friends while at school and I know of at least two who were very much in love with her. One of them to this day asks about her every time I meet him. She was usually an honor student at school.
After high school she was away more than at home –working and studying in Salt Lake and finally out at Myton, Utah, which to us was the end of the earth. She bought a little Ford coupe and would drive to Lehi at some weekends. It was while working out there that she met that good looking guy, Emory Smith.
Speaking of the name Smith, it is an important name in my family. I married a Smith, Dick married a Smith, and Verland married a Smith. All their married life they both have been a hard-working couple. I don’t think either has a lazy bone in their bodies. Emory has always been a loyal and considerate son-in-law and I do believe he thought the world of his mother-in-law. I think the world of him and his brothers and sisters and I enjoy being in their company.
Edith and I have had many pleasant visits at the Smith Ranch over the past 30 to 35 years and enjoyed the many rides over the countryside and partaking of the fine food. I sure loved to be with those sweet kids as they were growing up. The Evans family has always been proud of Verland and Emory’s labors in the lamb and wool industry and especially Verland’s efforts in promoting the same. To become a national president is a great honor.
May their years in retiring be very happy.
Sylvester Evans
Lehi, Utah
August 1, 1973
Dear Verland and Emory,
Sometime ago your family asked me to write a few things about what I knew about you, but at that time my body and mind were operating on about one cylinder so I failed to fill that request. But after reading some of the fine articles and comments by members of my family, I will write a post script and tell of some events that no one still alive can tell.
Edith and I made a good start by being married in the Salt Lake Temple on September 1, 1909. The first event I will mention took place on that early summer morning of June 19, 1910. I called the doctor who I learned was at the home of my brother, John S. Evans. The doctor came to the phone and said, “I’ve just delivered a fine baby girl to your sister-in-law.” I said, “Well, you hurry over here and deliver me a baby girl.” He said, “I’ll be there.” Well, within the nest hour we had a lovely girl with dark eyes and lots of black hair. So the two cousins came into this world about 90 minutes apart. These two babies were born in houses we lived in then and not in the 3 to 5 hundred dollar priced homes of today.
No baby got better care than our baby did at the hands of Sister Long, our midwife and nurse. Of course dear Aunt Ba did her part. Verland was a bright baby and learned very fast and she was the pride of the neighborhood. She learned to walk at 11 months but couldn’t get up by herself for several weeks later. So when she would walk down to the corral to see the chickens, pigs, cows and horses she would fall down and we would go down and place her upright and she would walk back to the house.
Verland was a very bright child and in school she was very active and received high marks in her studies. She had a mind of her own but was considerate of us and other people. She always chose good companions and never gave us much to worry about. She had a number of boy friends while at school and I know of at least two who were very much in love with her. One of them to this day asks about her every time I meet him. She was usually an honor student at school.
After high school she was away more than at home –working and studying in Salt Lake and finally out at Myton, Utah, which to us was the end of the earth. She bought a little Ford coupe and would drive to Lehi at some weekends. It was while working out there that she met that good looking guy, Emory Smith.
Speaking of the name Smith, it is an important name in my family. I married a Smith, Dick married a Smith, and Verland married a Smith. All their married life they both have been a hard-working couple. I don’t think either has a lazy bone in their bodies. Emory has always been a loyal and considerate son-in-law and I do believe he thought the world of his mother-in-law. I think the world of him and his brothers and sisters and I enjoy being in their company.
Edith and I have had many pleasant visits at the Smith Ranch over the past 30 to 35 years and enjoyed the many rides over the countryside and partaking of the fine food. I sure loved to be with those sweet kids as they were growing up. The Evans family has always been proud of Verland and Emory’s labors in the lamb and wool industry and especially Verland’s efforts in promoting the same. To become a national president is a great honor.
May their years in retiring be very happy.
Sylvester Evans
Lehi, Utah
August 1, 1973
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