Evy Smith-Harris, 86, of Ottumwa and formerly of Oskaloosa and Hedrick, died Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Ottumwa.
She was born on January 1, 1940, at home in Selma, IA, the daughter of Ray A. and Mildred May Sellers Pearson. She and her eleven siblings grew up and attended school in Libertyville. Evy graduated from Libertyville High School with the class of 1958. Following school, she worked for a short time at the café in Fairfield.
On February 20, 1959, she was united in marriage to Charles E. Smith. To this union four children were born, Charlotte, Charles Jr., Tammy, and Thomas. While her children were young, Evy focused her time and energy on caring for her family and home. As her youngest became of school age, she re-entered the workforce taking a job at Everco in Ottumwa. Over her 25-year career there she worked in production, quality control, and in the tool room. When production was moved from Ottumwa, she lost her position there and went to work at Wal-Mart in Ottumwa. She retired from Wal-Mart in 1994. She enjoyed cooking, camping, sewing, gardening, and canning (especially her family’s famous rhubarb jelly). She delighted spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
On February 20, 1990, her husband Charles passed away. On June 13, 1992, Evy was united in marriage to Ronald Harris in Hedrick, Iowa. Ron and Evy enjoyed 16 years of marriage before he passed away on August 28, 2008.
Evy’s family includes her four children, Charlotte Yoder of Sigourney, Charles “Chuck” Smith, Jr. (Susan McBeth) of Hayesville, Tammy Ash of Ottumwa, and Thomas (Jodi) Smith of Rose Hill; ten grandchildren, Jared Smith, Jennifer Smith, Tanner Smith, Sadie Passmore, Audrey Yoder, April Hoffman, Caden Ash, Kaleb Ash, Eric Smith, and Ryan Smith; eleven great grandchildren; a sister, Judy Wilkinson of Bloomfield; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her two husbands, Evy was preceded in death by her parents; and many brothers and sisters.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, January 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Fremont Funeral Chapel in Fremont, Iowa. As was her wish, her body has been cremated and private family burial will be in the Highland Center Cemetery in Highland Center. The Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the family or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
