Uvie Brown Evatt

On April 8, 1920, in Holland, Arkansas, a remarkable journey began with the birth of Uvie Brown. Her passage through this world concluded as gracefully as it started, on February 18, 2024, when she was greeted at the heavenly gates by our Dado (Leroy), her husband of 81 years.

Uvie’s legacy is marked by the profound bonds she forged and the lives she touched. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Leroy Jesse Evatt, her parents, Bonnie and Lee Edgar Brown, her brother, Bill Brown, and her sister, Inell Kennedy.

Throughout her life, Uvie embraced a multitude of roles, each with grace and dedication, but none so cherished as simply being “Wavie” to her family and friends. From her early years caring for her siblings, to marrying her childhood sweetheart and embarking on a life in Little Rock, her journey was one of love, service, and creativity. She flourished as a cosmetologist, salesperson and landlord. In her early years as a parent she served as a Sunday School teacher at Tyler Street Baptist Church and an active PTA member at Franklin Elementary School. Eventually she became an unparalleled party planner for her Sunday school class at Little Rock’s Second Baptist Church Downtown, where she was recently honored as a 50 year member. During the tumultuous times of World War II, with her husband deployed in the Aleutian Islands, Uvie served her country with determination and courage as a munitions worker, standing shoulder to shoulder with countless other women in a show of solidarity and strength.

Uvie’s warmth and generosity knew no bounds. She possessed the rare gift of making every encounter meaningful, often turning casual conversations in grocery aisles into the beginning of enduring friendships. Her talents as a seamstress were nothing short of extraordinary, creating garments for her daughter and granddaughter that were not only pieces of clothing but treasures of love and craftsmanship, which her great granddaughter still wears today. 

As a devoted mother to Karen, Uvie’s love was boundless. Neighborhood kids always found her door open for unlimited food and fun. Karen was not just her daughter but the embodiment of her hopes and dreams throughout life. 

Uvie’s legacy continues through her daughter, Karen Evatt Welch (Dr. Sam); her granddaughter, Mary Lee Welch Smith (Clayton); her great-grandchildren, Molly Kathleen and Connor Chapman Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, and honorary grandchildren who were blessed to know her.

As we gather to bid farewell, the pallbearers - Lew Dillahunty, Bryan Dillahunty, Shawn Thirion, Steve Kennedy, Jim Jones, and Leo Wilcox - will carry not just her earthly remains but a legacy of love, resilience, and grace.

In Uvie “Wavie” Evatt’s memory, we celebrate a life beautifully lived and a spirit that will forever inspire those fortunate enough to have been part of her journey.

The family wants to give thanks beyond words to the care she was given by the staff at the Arkansas Hospice Ottenheimer Inpatient Center. 

A graveside service will take place on Saturday, February 24 at 2 p.m. at the Vilonia Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Arkansas Hospice Foundation, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116. Arrangements are being made with care by Smith Little Rock Funeral Home.