Eva was the oldest child of her family and most of the responsibility around the ranch fell to her. She milked cows, helped in the garden, carried water, and many things.
When she was five years old, her mother was at home alone and it was time for the baby to be born. Eva's father was on the road with his freight and her mother woke her up in the middle of the night to send her to get Sister McLaws, who helped with the delivery of Clifford.
She met Thomas when she and her sister Hazel had gone to Heber from Joseph City with their father who was doing some farming there. They were camped in a log cabin and as it started to rain, the cabin began to leak. Thomas' mother invited them to come to her home for the night. There was a big puddle of water just outside the door of the Shelley home. When they got there she said, "How are we going to get to the front door"? You said, "that's easy, we'll jump." Then Eva over jumped and hit the door of the house. The door flew open, and she fell full length on the floor just in front of Thomas. He was sitting there playing his violin, and was very much surprised to find a young lady of such beauty at his feet. Eva was embarrassed and quickly got to her feet. Thomas was so impressed that when he stepped into another room, he told his Mother, that is the girl I am going to marry.
Thomas served a mission and then they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on Oct 2, 1912. They went from Joseph City to Salt Lake by train with several other couples. Eva and Thomas operated a mercantile store for 46 years. Eva worked many hours as a clerk, while Thomas worked as postmaster of Heber. Thomas was suffering seriously with stomach trouble and Eva had to take over much of the work.
Eva had serious operations. One was for a goiter that was as big as a tennis ball. It was very close to her juggler vein, and was of much concern. She had a hysterectomy and also a Pace maker and hearing aids. Her heart stopped more than once, but was revived.
They moved to Mesa to work in the LDS Temple in 1959.
Eva helped many young men to go on missions, with her unselfish financial aid. One time she sent a check to BYU for $1000 and said to use it where they most needed it. She was later surprised to find her name in a Football program as a major contributor to the Football team.
Eva lived to the age of 95.