Obituaries 11 November 2023

Maxine L. Smalley

Maxine L. Smalley, 94, of Greenfield, formerly of South Salem, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023 in the Edgewood Manor of Greenfield. She is now at peace.

Maxine was born June 6, 1929 in Huntington, W.Va., a daughter of the late Alva and Herma Hickman Holley.

On March 26, 1949, Maxine married Robert M. Smalley, and in 1950 they moved from Huntington, W.Va. to a dairy farm near South Salem by the covered bridge where Buckskin Creek ran through their farm. Robert preceded her in death on Feb. 18, 2017.

Maxine was a graduate of East High School in Huntington, W.Va. While in high school, she was an outstanding student and athlete, excelling in softball and pitching horseshoes. She realized how important education was at an early age and competed 12 years of school with perfect attendance. She later completed her studies at Ohio University and received her bachelor's degree in education, graduating summa cum laude.

She taught first grade for 18 years at Bainbridge Elementary School. Maxine was dedicated and devoted to the teaching of reading. Her first-grade students learned vowel and consonant sounds through criteria she developed. Many children learned to read while sitting on the floor listening to Mrs. Smalley play the guitar while they sang about “Amos and His Friends.”

Maxine was a member of the former South Salem Presbyterian Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. As a busy young farmer's wife and mother, she found time to volunteer as a camp counselor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. She was part of group of young wives and mothers whose "Card Club" met for 45 years to enjoy a good game of canasta.

She is survived by her three daughters, Marsha Beery of Chillicothe, Janet Smalley of Palmer, Alaska and Alice (Pedro) Urbiztondo of San Juan, Puerto Rico; six granddaughters, Angela (Derek) Johnson, Jennifer Anderson, Rebeccah Urbiztondo, Natasha (Hector) Soto, Anne (Ryan) Swentik and Grace (Robert) Champion; and 14 great-grandchildren.  

Maxine was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley (Don) Johnson and two brothers, Dalton "Buck" Holley and Joseph Holley.

A graveside service for family and friends will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 at 11 a.m. at the South Salem Cemetery. Burial of the cremains will follow the service. The Anderson-Ebright Funeral Home of Greenfield is serving the family.

Those who wish to share a memory of Maxine and sign the online register may do so at www.ebrightfuneralhome.com.
                                                                              

 

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