Shinnecock Elder Eva H. Kellis Smith Dies At 90

Eva H. Kellis Smith

Eva H. (née Kellis) Smith, a 90-year-old Elder of the Shinnecock Indian Nation, died January 12 surrounded by family at the same home her parents built and she lived in since she was 5 years old. In her final hours, she was honored with prayers and songs from the many native nations of her family and friends.

Born December 19, 1920, to Marguerite (née Lee) and David Kellis, she grew up on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation. She attended the one-room Shinnecock schoolhouse and then Southampton schools. Although she was unable to complete high school due to illness, she was an avid reader, lifelong learner and maintained a keen interest in public affairs and tribal issues, which she encouraged in her own children.

She had a strong work ethic, family said, and was proud of her jobs in small shops in Southampton Village. When her parents relocated to Brooklyn during World War II, she quickly found employment in the millinery industry. There she learned to make and wear fine hats, which family said she carried with style and a smile, especially on Easter and June meeting Sunday.

She had a long courtship and then a loving marriage to a young Brooklyn-born sailor, Joseph Cyrus Smith. However, following a tragic accident in 1961, she suddenly found herself a young widow.

Beyond the pursuit of academic study, she encouraged her children and grandchildren to learn and appreciate their Shinnecock culture. She also made it a point to take her children to visit family and Elders, and take them on walks in the woods and to the beach so they would learn about who they were and the beauty of where they came from. She also supported their travel far and wide to other reservations and regions around the country and world to gain perspective on other cultures.

“She raised a beautiful family. She has a daughter who’s a doctor and daughter who’s a lawyer; another who is a community worker,” said Harry K. Williams, a cousin of Ms. Smith. While her children were her number one focus, she also was a caregiver to her parents and siblings. Also an ordained Elder in the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church, she faithfully performed her duties in the local church and regional bodies. “She was a beautiful person, dedicated to her community—a community worker, a church-goer. We will miss her dearly,” Mr. Williams added.

Over the years, Ms. Smith was able to spend time with the young children of her daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Eva Smith and Emmett Chase, especially when they traveled for their work to many cities and reservations. She also returned frequently to Shinnecock to spend time with her grandchildren on the Reservation. She loved to teach and play croquet with her grandchildren, which she continued to do with her great-grandchildren. She was also an avid golfer.

Family said this week that Ms. Smith taught all how to live by the way she lived her life: dedicated to family and tribe, maintaining friendships based on character of diverse companions, and praying for a return to ways of personal responsibility, spiritual faith, peace and enjoyment of the simple pleasures and togetherness. Family said her spirit and teachings will always be with them.

She is survived by three daughters, Marguerite and her husband Ronald Travis, and Josephine Smith, both of Shinnecock, and Dr. Eva Marie and her husband Dr. Emmett Chase of California; six grandchildren, Aiyana Smith and her husband Nakia Williams, Weyhan Gerrod Kellis Smith, Honovi Smith, Erika Chase, Sara Chase, and Cholena Smith; six great-grandchildren, Nakia Williams Jr., Nashota Williams, Nootimus Williams, Wequai Shendo-Smith, Nuhkon Shendo-Smith, and Sequan Shendo-Smith; a nephew, Everett Hunter; six nieces, Dorothy and her husband Avery Dennis, Gloria Smith, Deette Kellis, Yvette Kellis-Terry, Lisa Smith Blair and Laurel Smith Durden; a sister-in-law Corrine Marshall Kellis; and a large extended family and friends including special cousins, Caroline Camille (née Williams) Bullock and A. Thomas Williams and Robert, Lillian, Dennis King and families who faithfully visited and supported her through her stressful dialysis days.

The family received friends at their home on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation on Sunday. A funeral service was held on Monday at the Shinnecock Presbyterian Church, followed by interment beside her husband at Long Island National Cemetery at Pinelawn in Farmingdale. Ms. Smith was the first tribal member to be honored with a Spirit Fire—a fire vigil that burned from the time of her death until interment on Monday—a tradition that has not been practiced on Shinnecock in many decades.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Shinnecock Indian Nation’s Cultural Enrichment Program, P.O. Box 5006, Southampton, NY 11969-5006; Shinnecock Indian Health Services, P.O. Box 1268, Southampton, NY 11969-1268 or Shinnecock Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 5011, Southampton, NY 11969-5011 would be appreciated by the family.