Ella Virginia Smiley

Ella Virginia Smiley, of Dothan, passed away Monday October 17, 2016 at her residence. She was 83.

Funeral Services will be 11 am Saturday, October 22, 2016 at First Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Brandon K. Marshall officiating. The family will receive friends Friday 5-7 pm at the funeral home.

God blessed this world with a beautiful angel, Mrs. Ella Virginia Smiley.  She was born on April 21, 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Pastor John Wilburn and Lizzie Wilburn.  She was raised in a loving Christian home.  She moved to Dothan, Alabama at an early age where she continued her Christian journey.  She joined Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church and was baptized.  She later joined First Missionary Baptist Church F.M.B.C. where she remained a faithful and devoted member.  Early on October 17, 2016, Virginia fell asleep surrounded by loved ones.  It was then that she met her Heavenly Father at the pearly gates and He said…"Well Done My

Good and Faithful Servant…Come on Home."

She attended Southside Elementary School and Carver High School in Dothan, Alabama. This is where she met her husband, George Junior Smiley and they were later joined in holy matrimony.  She was involved in a plethora of organizations throughout the Wiregrass area to include the Alabama Mass Choir, F.M.B.C. Senior and Adult Choir, F.M.B.C. Missionary Society, F.M.B.C. Pastor’s Support Team, and F.M.B.C. Sunday School Class #1. Virginia was also a devoted member of the Melodious Chapter #107, Order of Eastern Star for over 30 years.

Virginia was preceded in death by; her husband, George Junior Smiley; her parents; her son, Alfonzo and sister-in-law Bobbie Joe Barber Monk.

She leaves to cherish her memories: six daughters and two sons, Janice Diane Harrison, Atlanta, GA; Patricia A. Holloway James Dothan, AL; Loretta M. Robinson Greg Dothan, AL; George E. Smiley Lisa Conyers, GA; Jack Smiley Roddie, Dothan, AL; Elizabeth Smiley, Dothan, AL; Brenda Castle Wayne, Virginia Beach, VA and Cathy Smiley, Atlanta, GA.  Fourteen grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, three nieces and one nephew, a host of great-nieces and nephews, and a host of special goddaughters and godsons. She also played the role of a loving mother to many who she loved dearly, especially the three additional daughters she raised Shree Justo, Lisa Bedsole, and Debbie Stephens.

The family would like to thank AlaCare Hospice, Lisa Cook, DCI Dialysis, and Southern Cardiology.  A special thanks for all of your prayers, flowers, food, calls, love, and visits during this time.  May God continue to bless each of you is our prayer.