A mass of Christian burial for Mrs. Evelyn Margaret Schmitt, age 94, of Lake Murvaul in Panola County, TX, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church with Father Michael Adams officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Restland Memorial Park near Carthage. The will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday with a Rosary to be recited at 7 p.m. at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. Mrs. Schmitt passed away on Sunday morning, Jan. 10, 2010, in Carthage.

Evelyn Margaret Coffey Schmitt was born on Aug. 7, 1915, in Mendota, IL to Owen and Jennie Farmer Coffey. She married Wilfred Joseph Schmitt on Nov. 18, 1934, in La Salle, IL and he preceded her in death on Oct. 7, 1994. Together they started their family in Mendota, IL and later lived many years in Rock Island, IL and Davenport, IA. Mrs. Schmitt was a loving "stay at home" mother for most of her life and during these years, was an active member of the PTA where she earned the Life Achievement Award. She later became a cosmetician and buyer for Walgreen Drugs. After retirement, they moved to Lake Murvaul in April of 1981, where they both loved to fish. Mrs. Schmitt was a member of the Panola General Hospital Auxiliary and she also enjoyed playing bunko with her friends. When she was able, Mrs. Schmitt was a faithful and active member of St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church. She was also preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Roy and Forrest Coffey; two sisters, Geraldine Harmon and Ollie Kountkofsky; and one granddaughter, Michelle Bailey Gregory.

Mrs. Schmitt is survived by one daughter, Shirley Anderson and husband Donald "Chub" Anderson of Lake Murvaul; three sons, Richard Lee Schmitt of Lake Murvaul, Gary Schmitt and wife Janet of Lake Murvaul, and Kenneth Wayne Schmitt and wife Margie of Corsicana; 10 grandchildren, Donalyn Klopinski, Rick Anderson, Brian Anderson, Gail Throne, Kelly Mende, Russ Schmitt, Scott Lang, Kim Boggs, Fred Schmitt, and Maggie Alkire; 21 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Betty Harjes; and one brother-in-law, Jack Harmon. Numerous nieces, cousins, and many friends also survive Mrs. Schmitt.

Serving as pallbearers are Scott Lang, Justin Milam, Fred Schmitt, Russ Schmitt, Sam Mende, Brian Mende, and Brian Anderson.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Rick Anderson, Cliff Mock, Richard Schmitt, Ken Schmitt, and Gary Schmitt.

If desired, memorials may be made to St. William of Vercelli Catholic Church, Building Fund, 4088 NW Loop, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.