Evelyn “Tink” Smith was born on September 13, 1936 in Tuskegee, Alabama to Alonzie and Elisha Bell Blue. She was the seventh of fourteen children along with her twin Johnnie L. Blue aka her “Shorty”. Evelyn attended various Cleveland Public schools including Mayflower Elementary. After school, Evelyn went into the work force to help support her household. Evelyn joined Lively Hope Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized in May of 1971.
In her first union, Evelyn and Clifford Kelley had their first child, Elaine. Later, in time, she met Jacob Smith; they married and relocated to Detroit, Michigan and in this union, they had two daughters, Bernadette and Deatrice. Upon returning to Cleveland, Evelyn started a childcare service at her home on Dove Ave caring for the kids in the neighborhood and family grandchildren. She accepted Christ at an early age then joined Lively Hope Missionary Baptist church, under the direction of her twin brother Pastor Johnnie L. Blue. Later she became a member of Lively Hope Mother Board. Evelyn was a faithful member in The Order of the Eastern Star (Queen of Sheba #54) where she remained an outstanding member through service and commitment. She loved cooking large meals during holidays knowing she’d be spending time with her children, grandchildren and eventual great grandchildren. With each accomplishment and milestone she was the quintessential proud grandma, boasting to any and everyone about her pride and joy.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and 5 of her siblings sisters Rosie (Frank) Lee, Bertha (George) Rucker, Claudia (John D.) Ivey, Dorothy (Earvin) Gordon and Christine (Sam) McBride.
Evelyn passed peacefully on April 12, 2024 and was reunited with the Lord and her loved ones. She leaves to cherish her memory her children Elaine (Stanley) Hall, Bernadette Smith and Deatrice Smith and bonus children Donna Smith and Jacob Smith Jr.; grandchildren Malima (Kintu) Camp, Katrina Hall, Stanley Hall Jr., Alexandria Smith, Devante (Kanece) Smith and Elisha Smith; great-grandchildren Trimel Hall, Kai Camp, Kamille Camp, Devina Smith, Devante Smith Jr., Kai’rym Smith and Kamora Smith; Brothers, Johnnie L. (Gracie) Blue, William (Leonicia) Blue, Robert (Adele) Blue and Alonzo (Mercedes) Blue; and sister Delores (Eddie) Johnson and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.