Maness, Evelyn Smith

Heaven celebrates receiving an angel into its courts on 
March 5, 2007, after a long life of love and dedication 
to our Lord. Born February 14th, was perfectly fitting 
for her life of unwavering love to all. We will celebrate 
the beautiful earthly life of Evelyn Smith Maness, 94 
years, at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 8, 2007, at First United 
Methodist Church, with Dr. Bob Parcott and the Rev. Pat 
Sparks officiating. Mamaw was preceded in death by the 
love of her life, Wyatt Wesley Maness, whom she married 
at the age of 16 in 1929. They were deeply devoted to each 
other until his death in 1976. She was also preceded in 
death by her parents, Jimmie Sales and Mack Smith of 
Atoy/Rusk; brother, Ivan Iverson Smith of Shreveport, La.; 
and sister and brother-in-law, Eldridge and Mildred Maness. 
Having lived in Longview since 1943, Evelyn was an active 
member of her community and her beloved church. In addition, 
she worked alongside her husband in their family business, 
which she continued after his death until she was 80. In 
1985, she was honored as the Business Associate of the Year 
by the American Business Women's Association. Especially 
important areas of service to her were delivering a Bible 
and rose to each newborn baby in the church for 20 years, 
Turner Sunday School Class for more than 50 years, the Pie 
Bar at the annual Zonta Antique Show, UMW, Knife & Fork 
Club and Garden Club to name a few. Mamaw is survived by her 
son and daughter, Bob and Jo Ruth Maness of Longview and 
Wanda and Dick Jett of Tyler; brother and wife, Marlin and 
Mary Ann Smith of Monroe, La.; sister-in-law, Pauline Smith 
of Shreveport, La.; six grandchildren and their spouses, 
Linda and Brandon Pitts of Fairview, Jeff and Katie Maness 
of Sanford, Fla., Kathy and Jay Kreps of Dallas, Rick and 
Michele Jett of Tyler, John and Cindy Jett of Austin and 
Janie and Jon Tate of HideAway Lake; 10 great-grandchildren, 
Brett, Reed and Clark Pitts; Jordan Maness; Cory Kreps; 
Natalie Jett; Wes and Audrey Jett; and Brittany and Jonathan 
Tate; and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family wishes 
to thank Dr. Dan Jones and all the many caregivers to Evelyn 
during the past eight years, especially Buckner Assisted 
Living of Longview. Memorial contributions may be made to 
First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia, Longview, TX 
75601; or to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., 
Tyler, TX 75701. Visitation with the family will be from 
6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, March 7, 2007, at Rader Funeral 
Home. A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 3/6/2007.

-----------------------

Maness, Evelyn Smith

Heaven celebrates receiving an angel into its courts on March 
5, 2007, after a long life of love and dedication to our Lord. 
Born February 14th, was perfectly fitting for her life of 
unwavering love to all. We will celebrate the beautiful earthly 
life of Evelyn Smith Maness, 94 years, at 2 p.m. Thursday, 
March 8, 2007, at First United Methodist Church, with Dr. Bob 
Parcott and the Rev. Pat Sparks officiating. Mamaw was preceded 
in death by the love of her life, Wyatt Wesley Maness, whom she 
married at the age of 16 in 1929. They were deeply devoted to 
each other until his death in 1976. She was also preceded in 
death by her parents, Jimmie Sales and Mack Smith of Atoy/Rusk; 
brother, Ivan Iverson Smith of Shreveport, La.; and sister and 
brother-in-law, Eldridge and Mildred Maness. Having lived in 
Longview since 1943, Evelyn was an active member of her 
community and her beloved church. In addition, she worked 
alongside her husband in their family business, which she 
continued after his death until she was 80. In 1985, she was 
honored as the Business Associate of the Year by the American 
Business Women's Association. Especially important areas of 
service to her Þ ¤ were delivering a Bible and rose to each 
newborn baby in the church for 20 years, Turner Sunday School 
Class for more than 50 years, the Pie Bar at the annual Zonta 
Antique Show, UMW, Knife & Fork Club and Garden Club to name a 
few. Mamaw is survived by her son and daughter, Bob and Jo Ruth 
Maness of Longview and Wanda and Dick Jett of Tyler; brother and 
wife, Marlin and Mary Ann Smith of Monroe, La.; sister-in-law, 
Pauline Smith of Shreveport, La.; six grandchildren and their 
spouses, Linda and Brandon Pitts of Fairview, Jeff and Katie 
Maness of Sanford, Fla., Kathy and Jay Kreps of Dallas, Rick and 
Michele Jett of Tyler, John and Cindy Jett of Austin and Janie 
and Jon Tate of HideAway Lake; 10 great-grandchildren, Brett, 
Reed and Clark Pitts; Jordan Maness; Cory Kreps; Natalie Jett; 
Wes and Audrey Jett; and Brittany and Jonathan Tate; and many 
beloved nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Dr. Dan 
Jones and all the many caregivers to Evelyn during the past eight 
years, especially Buckner Assisted Living of Longview. Memorial 
contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 N. 
Fredonia, Longview, TX 75601; or to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 
University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701. Visitation with the family will 
be from 6-7:30 p.m. this evening, March 7, 2007, at Rader Funeral 
Home. A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 3/7/2007.