Evelyn Neas Smith

Margaret Evelyn Neas Smith, age 97, of Newport, died early Sunday morning, June 4, 2023, after a period of declining health. Born in the St. James community of Greene County, she was the last surviving child of Erban Lawrence and Sallie Kate Neas. She was a direct descendant of Michael Nehs and John Ottinger, two Revolutionary War soldiers who settled in the area. She received her education at nearby St. James Elementary and High Schools. Her early religious affiliation was with St. James Lutheran Church. On November 16, 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, I. Jay Smith, shortly before he was deployed to the South Pacific with the U.S. Marines during World War II. While I. Jay was in service, Evelyn worked at Laughlin Hospital in Greeneville. In April of 1945, I. Jay, together with A.A. Lamons, purchased an interest in Newport Hardware on Main Street. The pair later bought Fred M. Greer Hardware on Broadway. During this time the young Smith family moved to Newport, living first in the Northport area. In 1964, I. Jay sold his interest to Lamons and built I. Jay Smith Hardware adjacent to the family home on the Knoxville Highway. Meanwhile Evelyn cared for the couple's three children - Larry, Sharon, and Robyn - and then became an integral part of the business's success, working alongside her husband. In 1977, she opened 'Bridal Corner' within the store and delighted in counseling countless couples in their selections of china, crystal, silver, and appliances for their future homes. After the store's closure in 1990, for several years she continued working as a bridal consultant for Gilland's Horticulture Services and Newport Hardware. A lifelong Lutheran, she was a devoted member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where she served in numerous capacities: the Altar Guild, Vacation Bible School, and WELCA, to name a few. For several years she devoted countless hours to Cocke County Relay for Life's efforts to raise money for cancer research. She will long be remembered as the owner of the 'Christmas House,' beginning each September meticulously decorating both the inside and outside of her home with her vast collection of holiday items and hosting family and friends for joyful gatherings. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, son Larry Smith, two brothers-John M. Neas and wife Jean, Richard Neas and wife Nancy, one sister - June Neas and husband, Clyde Roberts, and one great-great-grandchild Sydney Miller. Immediate survivors include two daughters: Sharon (Jimmy) Styles, of Newport, and Robyn (Mark) Floyd of Knoxville; daughter-in-law Ann Smith of Dandridge; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Brian) Eisenhower of Newport; Lee Jay (Ashley) Smith of Hopkinsville, KY; Chuck (Julia) Styles of Newport; Sheri (Darrell) Donaldson of Canton, NC; Matthew (Laura) Floyd of Jackson, TN and Michael (Deana) Floyd of Denver, CO: fourteen great-grandchildren: McKinley Eisenhower of Newport; Emily and Ellie Smith of Hopkinsville, KY; Tonya (Jeremy) Lewellyn of Hartford; Sonya (Brandon) Sartain and Addyson Styles of Newport, Cassandra (Chris) Gibbons and Jennie (Sonny) Defoe, of Kodak; Joanne (Chris) Boykin of Newport, Katie (Austin) Bradshaw of Gatlinburg; Kolbe Donaldson of Canton, NC, Tyler and Spencer Floyd of Jackson, TN and Cameron Floyd of Denver, CO; and sixteen great-great-grandchildren: Shelby and Skylar Gibbons, Sarah Miller and Madalyn Defoe of Kodak; Gracie, Emma, Christopher, and Raylynn, Boykin of Newport, Tucker and Kiava Bradshaw of Gatlinburg; Mallory and Macy Lewellyn of Hartford, and Trenton and Ensley Sartain of Newport. Additional survivors include two nephews, W.L. (Lisa) Neas of Newport and Dr. Andy Roberts of Greenville; and three nieces, Beth Hembree of Greenville, Sally (Carroll) Allen of Morristown, and Jeannie Cutshaw of St. James. The family would like to say a very special Thank You to Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice and her caregivers, Sandy, Shawnee, Paige ,Lacole and Vera.. Memorial gifts may be sent to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 140 Lincoln Avenue, Newport, TN 37821 or to Cocke County Relay for Life. The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Manes Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, with Steve Thompson officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery. Family and friends may sign the guest register online at: www.manesfuneralhome.com. Arrangements with Manes Funeral Home.

Evelyn Neas Smith

July 10, 1925 - June 4, 2023