Mrs. Theoria Yvonne Smith, 82, of Smiths Station, AL passed Saturday, September 16, 2023 in Smiths Station, AL

Funeral service to be held 11:00 a.m. EST Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Spirit Filled Ministries, Columbus, GA with Rev. Dr. Wayne Baker, pastor, officiating. Interment to follow in Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church Cemetery, 2482 Hwy. 165, Eufaula, AL. Visitation is Friday, September 29, 2023 from 12-5 p.m. EST.

Let the month of April be written on the pages of my heart as a joyous month. On the thirteenth day of April 1941 my future wife was born to Theo and Evelyn Evans in Cottonton, AL. Theoria Yvonne Evans; known as “Evon”; was the second oldest of three girls – the great educator and mother to many boys and girls departed this life so gracefully and peacefully at home with her husband Saturday the 16th of September around 1pm after a heroic battle with Alzheimer’s for over 14 years.

Defying the disease, she told Alzheimer’s “I will only give you one day in the late - stage, I will never not know my husband/family member”. Watching her husband intently and monitoring his every move in the room, she refused to depart, it was only when he left out, she welcomed the arms of the angels.

Voted Miss Beauty Queen in school, Evon was always a go getter. She attended and graduated from Russell County Schools and Alabama Lab in Montgomery, AL. Graduating early, she continued her education. At sixteen she enrolled in Spelman College in Atlanta, GA. Evon received her Bachelor of Art Degree in Social Science with a minor in Elementary Education. She received two masters degrees, one in counseling from Troy State University and the second one in administration and supervision from Tuskegee University. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Early in life, however, realizing that worldly knowledge was not the only knowledge needed, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church in Cottonton, AL. At the time of her departure, she was a devoted member of Spirit Filled Ministries. Evon served as President of the Missionary Department for many years, a member of the Evangelistic Team, serving as Stewardess, Usher and in the Women Ministry for many devoted years.

On June 29, 1991 Theoria Yvonne Evans King was united in Holy Matrimony to Alfonza Smith. They have one daughter.

Theoria Smith gave loyal and dedicated service to her community. For over thirty years she was a dedicated teacher/counselor in Russell County. She worked over 25 years as a counselor/student advisor at CVCC and she taught psychology at Troy State University. She served on the Phenix City School Board for some years, a member of the Alabama Teacher’s Associa- tion, worked with the March of Dime Program, provided shelter for the homeless; a mentor and motivator to countless young boys, in particular young girls for higher education.

Founder of New Life Center for Boys Teen University, a residential institution for boys with moderate to extreme behavior problems. Responsible for renovating and decorating the entire campus to ensure it was livable for boys. She served as counselor, program director, teacher, spiritual advisor, child and adolescent professional and cook. Without her, there would be no NLCC-Teen University. She served for 12 years after her 35 year career in education, a remarkable woman.

She was a true champion for the under priviledge, the marginalized in society. She really cheered for them and loved them all!

Even though she is physically gone, she will always be cherished by her husband, Alfonza Smith; daughter, Sandra Smith; granddaughter, Michelle of Aschaffenburg, Germany; sister, Irma Joan Lowther; two nephews, Thomas Lowther, III and Rodertick Theo Lowther of Phenix City, AL; god sister, Vivian (Moses) Erkins of Eufaula, AL; three brothers in law, Charles (Maxine) Clemmons, Columbus, MS, Terry Cunningham, Phenix City, AL and Darron (Carolyn) Cunningham, Milwaukee, WS; sister- in-law, Rebecca (Homer) Braylock, Ridgeland, MS; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.