1931-2026
Evelyn M. Smith, our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother, was called home to the Lord on January 12, 2026 after a long, beautiful life filled with faith and love. Surrounded by love, her family finds comfort in the promise of eternal life.
Born October 6, 1931, in Winfield, she was the daughter of Carl Wright and Cassie Marie (Howe) Hamlin. She was raised and educated in Winfield, graduating from Winfield High School in 1948. She later attended Southwestern College.
She was united in marriage to Daniel E. Smith on April 6, 1952, in Winfield. Evelyn leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication to her family. She devoted her life to those she loved, serving as a homemaker, while also working long hours alongside her husband on their family farm northwest of Winfield. Her commitment was evident in every aspect of her life and she took pride in creating a nurturing, loving home for her children and grandchildren, where faith, hardwork, and family always came first. She was a remarkable cook and baker who found deep joy in gathering everyone around the table, creating treasured memories through meals shared in love and laughter. She also found joy in giving and constantly putting the needs of others before her own. Daniel preceded her in death on June 17, 2013.
Evelyn was a deeply spiritual person and her faith carried her throughout life. She also made time to pursue the things she loved; gardening, canning, sewing, and quilting. In her hands, thread and cloth seemed to work like magic, transforming into tea towels, aprons, baby blankets, and beautiful quilts. She valued the rural American traditions she grew up with and found great joy in practicing them and passing them down to her children and grandchildren.
Her family includes her sons, David C. Smith and wife, Donna of Winfield; Rodney D. Smith and wife, Debbie of Winfield; her daughters, Diane Stauffer and husband, Pete of Lake Wabaunsee; Donna Hanks and husband, Mike of Osage City; Marilyn Lanzrath and husband, Matt of Allen; her sister Carlene Brown of Winfield; her grandchildren, Janell Williams and husband, Joe of Winfield; Darrin Smith and wife, Abby of Guthrie, OK; Adrienne Baca and husband, Jon of Edmond, OK; Natalie Speer and husband, Jason of Kansas City; Ashley Taggart and husband, Able of Topeka; Jeremy Smith and wife, Amber of Winfield; Matthew Smith and wife, Lindsay of Winfield; Crystal Ray and husband, Jacob of Winfield; David Hanks and wife, Cassie of Reading; Mark Hanks and wife, Sarah of Reading; Michael Lanzrath of Allen; Kayla Andrews and husband, Craig of Allen; her great grandchildren, Nathan, Jacob, and Hannah Williams; Carl and Drew Smith; Reagan, Adam, Emily, Ava, and Margo Baca; Aliah, Anthony, Mia, and Ella Taggart; Justin, Alexis, Jace, Jasper, and Arabella Smith; Nikolas and Mattalynn Smith; Payton, Tyler, Caleb, and Wyatt Ray; Benjamin, Evelyn, Jossalyn, and Johnathan Hanks; Cristina, Carter, Kaylee, and Kolby Andrews, Anna Hanks; her great-great grandchildren, Liam and Ryder Singer; and her four nephews.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M., Monday, January 19, 2026, at Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Mt. Vernon Cemetery northwest of Winfield. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 to 5 P.M. The family will greet that afternoon.
Should you wish to do so, memorials have been established in Evelyn Smith’s name for the Kellogg Hall Improvement Fund and for the William Newton Healthcare Foundation. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.
