Evelyn Doris Keller (née Smith), 77, of Waveland, MS, passed away peacefully in her sleep
on April 14th, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Evelyn was born on October 22nd, 1946, in Salzburg, Austria. Her parents were Hildegard
Smith (née Grasser) and Lt. Col. Kenneth D. Smith.
She graduated from Edgewood High School in West Covina, CA in 1965. She attended
University of Maryland in Heidelberg, Germany. Evelyn worked at several places throughout
her life, like at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina, Huntsville Hospital, and KFC.
However, Evelyn’s favorite job was being a devoted mother to her two daughters. She also
enjoyed many hobbies and had several interests, such as gardening, making jewelry and
macramé, crafting and sewing, reading how-to books and fixing things, playing games and
working on puzzles, playing the penny machines at the casinos, traveling everywhere with
family and taking pictures, fishing, enjoying German food and Austrian traditions, and being
around animals-mostly dogs. Evelyn was very kind and always willing to help anyone who
needed help. She was resourceful, self-taught, willing to learn, and independent– teaching
her daughters that they could do anything they put their minds to. Evelyn was a mother whom
gave the best advice, and would always put everything aside just to listen empathetically and
provide encouragement and support. She was the mother everyone wishes they had.
Evelyn was greatly loved by her parents, her daughters, her son-in-law, and her close
friends. She is survived by her only remaining daughter, Katrina Weigel (née Keller), and her
son-in-law, Seth Weigel; and her fur grandchildren, Riff Raff and Birdie. Preceded in her
death were her parents, her youngest daughter, Heather Keller, and her beloved senior
rescue dog, Gracie.
A private funeral service for family and close friends will be held on April 20th, 2024, at 10am
at Carr Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made towards any animal shelter
of your choice in her honor.
The family would like to thank the staff at Vital Caring Home Health and Hospice for their
compassionate care during Evelyn’s illness. She adored all the staff that helped her,
especially her Hospice nurses, aides, social workers and chaplain. Also, the family would like
to thank Father Jacob Matthew Smith of St. Claire Catholic Church in Waveland, MS, who
blessed Evelyn with her Last Rites before her passing.
Evelyn will be deeply missed, as she was an amazing mother and kind-hearted soul who will
never ever be forgotten.
