Mrs. Evelyn Marie Smith

SMITH, Mrs. Evelyn Marie - Age 77, transitioned from this life Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Henry Ford-Genesys. Home Going Service will be held 10:00 AM Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Southeast Christian Church, 4171 Lapeer Rd, Burton MI., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM, Eulogist Pastor Bernetta Driver, Host Pastor Kenneth M. Brown. Interment Flint Memorial Park G-9506 N. Dort Hwy, Family and Friends will assemble at the church Saturday at 10:00 AM. Mrs. Smith will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday, September 5, 2025. Evelyn Marie Smith was born on January 1, 1948, in Blytheville, Arkansas to District Elder James Smith and Mother Katherine Smith. To this union was born 18 children, 10 boys and 8 girls; Evelyn was their 14th child. She received her education in general studies through the Arkansas public school system at Harrison High School. Being raised under the fear and admonition of God, she couldn’t help but hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and received the gift of the Holy Ghost at the age of 18. Evelyn moved from Arkansas to Lansing, MI with her older sister, Lela Mae. There she would be under the pastoring of Bishop Warren. She relocated to Bay City, Michigan and eventually settled in Mt. Morris, MI where Our Savior Apostolic became her church home under the late Pastor Everette Farmer then the late Pastor Curtis Lytle. In 2015, she joined Christ the Rock Apostolic, under Suffragan Bishop Wilbert Reed and returned to Our Savior Apostolic Church in 2023. Her many years of dedicated service demonstrated her love for Jesus. She served faithfully on the Usher Board, Missionary Board, taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. No task was too small concerning the House of God; she would take baptismal garments home to wash and serve on the cleaning committee. In those days, church didn’t have a timer; tarrying service, fast and shut-ins would go on through the night. Revival services would end after midnight and feet washing and communion was revered. Evelyn was a partaker of them all. She was a willing servant. In 1973, she married Zachary Sheely Sr. and gave birth to 7 children; 5 girls and 2 boys. Evelyn took pride in being a homemaker; she truly believed “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. You could always find her humming her favorite hymns or listening to the songs of Shirley Caesar, Tremaine Hawkins, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and Andre Crouch. Evelyn became a very active parent when her youngest child began school at Kurtz Head Start. Her volunteer services lead to employment in the Beecher School District. She expanded her skills and experience in other work fields including home health aide and retail sales. She had a gift for writing poetry and would steal away for quiet moments whenever she could. Her passion for cooking was undeniable. She was “Most Requested” for her corn bread dressing, southern style greens, sweet potato pie and homemade rolls. Evelyn was loved by her family, saints and many friends near and far including close friends, Doris Tillman, Marcia Fryer, Diar Houston, Michelle Willis, Joann Tucker, Evang. Sally Brooks, Reneatha and Tawana Player. Of all the things that she wanted or hoped to be, becoming a grandmother was the highlight of her life and when the great-grand children arrived, they stole her heart from everyone and affectionately called her G.G. Evelyn loved to celebrate holidays and special events with her family. On September 25, 2024 she was present to see her baby daughter get married to beloved son-in-law, Kedon Wilson. On November 16, 2024, she saw her beloved grandson, Joshua Cook joined in marriage to Lauren Martin. Evelyn turned 77 on January 01, 2025. A surprise birthday party was given on January 4th at Our Savior Apostolic Church to commemorate her life. She attended the birthday party of great-grand daughter, Na’marie Jones on February 22, 2025. Sunday, May 04, 2025, grand daughter Courtney James graduated from U of M Flint and her Granny was there to celebrate with her. May 26, 2025, Evelyn was invited to spend the Memorial Holiday with grandson, Joshua Cook and the Martin Family. This would be the last family event she attended before her health rapidly declined. Evelyn Marie Smith leaves to cherish her memory: 7 children, Zachary Sheely Jr., Latasha Sheely, Shamekia Lipkin, Kendra James, Tracy Sheely, all of Flint, Kevin Sheely Sr. of Pontiac, MI) and Tara (Kedon) Wilson of Grand Blanc, MI; 23 grandchildren, Ashley of Fort Smith, AR, Joe, T’Keyah, Sherena, Joshua (Lauren), Leslie, Ananda (Joshua Fields), Shantea, Zach III, JaQuan, Tracy, Yasmine, Courtney, Kevin Jr, Xavier, Taina, Garrett, Carmello, Iaira, Wrylin, James, Dutchess and Siar including special granddaughter, Shamiya Johnson, all of Flint; 18 great-grandchildren, Christopher (Fort Smith, AR), Joshua, Malachi, Cameron, Alayah, Jahmeir, Remedi, Del Rico, Lliana, Londyn, Jordyn, Kylin, Kaden, Teresa, Na’marie, Jahsir, Zayden and Ca’marion; 4 sisters, Lela Mae Smith of Blytheville, AR, Mae Katherine Brown of Indiana, IN, Eva Mae (Michael) Wilson of Cleveland, OH, and Maxine Smith of Indiana, IN; niece, Diane Coleman and great-niece, Natalya Coleman, both of Omaha, NE; great-niece, Chelsea Winfrey of Blytheville AR; special daughter, Hope Vines; and a host of relatives, friends and the Saints of God. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, James and Katherine Smith; brothers, James Jr, Jonathan Smith, Clarence Smith Sr., Henry Smith, Paul Smith Sr., Harold Smith, Cornelius Smith, and Nathaniel Smith Sr.; sisters, Mattie Staten, Geraldine Archie, Ruby Sparks, Elaine McAtee, and Emma Torrence; and granddaughter, Shaniya Alyce Sheely. The Family would like to express its sincere gratitude for the love, prayers and support of loved ones, friends, the Our Savior Apostolic Church family, Christ the Rock Apostolic Church, the doctors, nursing staff and ICU Unit at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital.

Mrs. Evelyn Marie Smith

January 1, 1948 - August 21, 2025