Virginia Smalley

Virginia Ellen Reynolds Smalley, age 86, passed away peacefully with her husband by her side in Auburn, AL on Saturday, February 28, 2015. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama on May 16, 1928, to the late JD Reynolds Sr and Selma Laura McElvana Reynolds. She and Rex Smalley were married on May 27, 1951 and celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last spring. Virginia attended Arab High School before attending Auburn University where she was a member of Delta Zeta Sorority. She received her BS degree and later a Masters in Education and spent over thirty years as an educator in the Arab City School System. Virginia was a longtime resident of Arab, Alabama where she raised her family and enjoyed her friends. She was a lifelong member of the Arab First United Methodist Church. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, mother in-law and friend. She raised three boys and Rex single handedly, literally. Virginia loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and family members and enjoyed a long and loving relationship with her siblings, brother in- laws, sister in-laws and all of their children. She left a lasting legacy of love and commitment to her family. She also left a lasting impression with her cooking talents and the meals she would prepare during holidays and family gatherings. Rex especially loved her red eye gravy and cathead biscuits!!! She was a loving supportive wife to Rex and forever by his side. Virginia was preceded in death by her brother JD Reynolds JR, sister June Reynolds Pendergrast and brother in-law David Pendergrast. She is survived by her husband Rex Smalley, sons, David (Debbie), Bruce (Jackie) and Jeff (Tracy). She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Patrick (Lauren) Smalley, Sarah Smalley (Matt Nunnelly), Leigh (Garrett) Williams, Alexis Smalley, Lydia Smalley, Blake (Megan) Smalley, Alli (Brock) Bracewell, Sam Smalley and Emily Martin; one great-grandson, Pearce Rex Smalley; brother and sister in-law Jerrell and Louise Smalley, sister in-law Martha Jean Reynolds and a host of nieces and nephews. The visitation is from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM on Sunday, March 8, 2015 at the Arab First United Methodist Church with the funeral service to begin at 2:30 PM. Brother Robert Sparkman will be officiating. The burial will be at the Brookwood Cemetery. Pallbearers are Patrick Smalley, Blake Smalley, Sam Smalley, Brock Bracewell, Garrett Williams and Matt Nunnelly. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or Arab Junior High Library 256-586-6074.

Virginia Smalley

May 16, 1928 - February 28, 2015