Violet Myrtle (Evins) Smith-Shelby
July 24, 1916 - May 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
Vale
Violet “Vi” Smith-Shelby, 91, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at the Pioneer Nursing Home in Vale, of natural causes. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2008, at the Vale Christian Church with the Rev. Clayne Beck officiating. Viewing will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday evening at Lienkaemper Chapel in Vale. Interment will follow at the Valley View Cemetery.
Vi was born July 24, 1916, in Wilder, Idaho, to George and Minnie Evins. She was the fourth child of 11 children. Her early years were spent in Wilder, Idaho and Eureka, Mont. On Feb. 11, 1935, she married William (Bill) Smith in Eureka. To this union, five children were born.
Bill worked for the U.S. Forest Service, and Vi cooked for the logging crew. In 1947, they moved to Vale and farmed. Vi worked at the Willow Creek beet dump and at Ore-Ida, until retiring in 1973. Vi and Bill then became caretakers at Bully Creek Reservoir for four years. They then purchased a home in Vale. Bill passed away in 1990, and Vi remained in their home until she married Homer Shelby on July 24, 1993 (Vi’s 77th birthday). Homer passed away in September 1997. Vi was a member of the Vale Christian Church for 60 years, where she was actively involved in all areas of ministry. Her enjoyment and relaxation was in quilting.
Vi is survived by her children, daughter, Bonnie (husband Gerald) George, Molalla, Ore., and sons, Darwin (wife Janice) Smith, Vale, and Harold (wife Peggy) Smith, Ontario; brother, Dean Evins of Eureka; and son-in-law, Anthony Fischer of Fall City, Ore. She has numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-step-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren and other extended family.
Vi is preceded in death by both husbands; her parents; six brothers, George, Zeb, Mel, Cliff, Harold, Ray; and three sisters, Grace, Ada, Doris; daughters, Betty Anderson and Lucky Fischer; and son-in-law, Lee Anderson.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the Pioneer Nursing Home for all their help and support in the years that Violet was there. We would also like to give a special thank you to the nurses of Heart ‘n Home Hospice Care for their kindness and support in the final hours. Memorials can be made to the Vale Christian Church. Condolences to the family may be made at www.lienkaemper-thomason.com.
