NEWPORT NEWS - Evelyn Smith Allerton, age 91, fondly known as Mimi to those that knew her, died Friday, Aug. 17, 2012, at The Hidenwood retirement home. She was born in Isle of Wight County and moved with her family to Newport News in 1928.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, William N. Smith Jr., in 1968. Also preceded by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Laine; sister, Mrs. Charles F. Clemens; and brother, Ashton C. Laine.

Mimi graduated from Newport News High School in June 1938. She was a costumed interpreter with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for 23 wonderful years, retiring in October of 1993. She served as an election official for the city of Newport News for more than 30 years. Mimi also enjoyed tutoring young children with reading at Riverside Elementary School for a number of years.

She was a member of Chestnut Memorial Methodist Church and a member of the Willie Rowe Nelms Sunday School class, a member of James River Country Club and former member of the Woman's Club of Newport News, also former member of the Maxwell Garden Club.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Allerton; three children, Gay Smith Donlan, of Massanutten, Va., Martha Smith Nicholas and her husband Dave, of Charlottesville, Va., and David B. Smith and his wife Kelly, of Marietta, Ga. Also three stepchildren, Richard Allerton Jr. and wife, Kathy, of New York, N.Y., Diane Ward, of Charlotte, N.C., and Dennis Allerton, of Oakton, Va. She also had six grandchildren, five stepgrandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A private graveside service was held at Peninsula Memorial Park on Thursday, Aug. 23, by Pastor Bob Gochenour of Chestnut Memorial Methodist Church.

Her grandchildren who served as honorary pallbearers were John E. Olney Jr., Susan Olney, Madison Smith, Michael Donlan, Josh Donlan, Laine Donlan, and Derik Allerton.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at The Hidenwood, the nurses at Odyssey, and Joanna Foster from Hope and Home for the loving care they gave her. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in Daily Press from August 24 to August 25, 2012.
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