Eva Smiley Wall

Eva Smiley Wall, age 89, passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving family. Eva was born and raised by her devoted mother after the passing of her father when she was just four years old. From an early age, she learned resilience, faith, and the value of hard work—qualities that defined her life. A basketball player herself, Eva fell in love with the high school basketball star, Allen “Dick” Wall, who became the love of her life and lifelong partner. Together, they began their marriage with very little materiality, but with an abundance of love and determination. From a feeble cottage on a hill, they carved out a strawberry farm that would grow from humble beginnings into what was once the largest strawberry farm in Louisiana. Eva and Dick raised five children, instilling in them strong Christian values and an incredible work ethic. Early on, they learned it would take more than one occupation to provide for their family. Through the years, Eva worked as a school bus driver and labored faithfully alongside Dick in many ventures, including the fur business, shrimping, vegetable farming, and growing watermelons. In 1986, Eva was instrumental in the creation of Wall’s Alligator Farm, one of the first alligator farms in the state. Eva was no stranger to hardship. She endured the loss of their home in a fire and, a few short years later, the devastating loss of their son, Don, on The Strawberry Queen shrimp boat. Through every trial, Eva never wavered in her faith in God or her devotion to family. Her strength, perseverance, and quiet trust in the Lord were a testimony to all who knew her. Eva’s deep love for the outdoors created treasured memories for her family that will last for generations. Together, Eva and Dick forged a legacy of generosity, spreading kindness throughout their community and church family. A lifelong member of Woodland Baptist Church, Eva faithfully served the Lord by teaching Sunday School and hosting Bible studies in her home. Her life reflected a servant’s heart and an unwavering commitment to her faith. Eva will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, faithful servant of God, and a woman whose legacy of hard work, generosity, and faith will live on through her family and all whose lives she touched Eva is survived her children, Allen Wall and wife Deanie, Scarlet Wall, Nathan Wall and wife LaDonna, Chris Wall and wife Melissa; grandchildren, Luke Wall, Chad Wall, and their mother Melonie Campbell, Barry Wall, Donna DePaula, JoJo Wall, and their mother Jodie Barnum, Shellie Collier, Danielle Abels, Tara Varnado, Mark Patterson, and his father Keith Patterson, Matthew Wall, Don Wall, and their mother Karen Wall, Ranger Wall, and Christen Oppenlander; 28 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Eva is preceded in death by her husband Allen Leche Wall; son, Don Wall; her parents, Elphegge and Mary Jane Smiley; siblings, Luther Smiley, Shelby Smiley, Elzy Smiley, Brady Smiley, Dorothy Smiley Long, Winnie Duplechin, John Smiley, and baby Jane Smiley. Relatives and friends of the family is invited to a visitation on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Woodland Baptist Church from 9:30 a.m. until the service at 12:30 p.m. The service will be officiated by Brother Paul Taylor. Interment will follow in Woodland Baptist Church cemetery.

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Eva Smiley Wall

August 6, 1936 - January 29, 2026