Nancy Smelley

Nancy Lou Smelley COKER | Nancy Lou Smelley, departed this life for a better place on September 7, 2014, anxiously looking forward to having a reunion with her most beloved husband, son, brother and parents that have passed before her. Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 10, 2014, at Bone Camp United Methodist Church with Rev. Gary Lee officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home North directing. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester and Betty Gray; husband, Thomas Wayne Smelley; son, Tomie Lance Smelley; and brother, Randall Chester Gray. Survivors include her daughter, Monica Smelley Davidson (Scott); sister, Barbra Wilburn; sons, Tony Gray and Todd Gray; granddaughter, Megan Marie Davidson; and nieces and nephews. Nancy was the oldest child of the late Chester G. Gray and Betty Jane (Bail) Gray born in 1947 in Michigan. The oldest of five, she became a second mother to them all. She became a great cook and caretaker in her young years. Nancy moved here to permanently reside with her parents during her school years, that is when she met the love of her life. She was only nine years of age at the time, but stated to others, he was the man she was going to marry. Her foreseen prediction became true in June 1964 when she married Thomas Wayne Smelley of Coker, Alabama. After his passing on July 3, 1992, she said, "There could never be another for her because when God created him, the mold had been broken." Nancy worked in the Tuscaloosa County School systems as the main cook at Flatwoods Elementary, Echols Middle School and Hillcrest High School for 30 years. She loved her job and missed it greatly after being forced to retirement after being diagnosed with Inclusion Body Myositis. She told stories about her days in the school cafeteria. She loved to get compliments on her main courses from the children and all employees. Many in the school system would leave other schools to eat in her cafeteria. She found much joy in the simple things in life. Pallbearers will be Brad Gray, Blake Gray, Johnny Gray, Ronald Watson, Charlie Falls and Allen Clanton. Special thanks to Nurse Mildred Allen. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Alabama Hospice Care of Tuscaloosa.