Flora Marett Smalley

Flora Marett Smalley of Walhalla, S.C, peacefully passed from this life on June 21, 2011 at NHC HealthCare in Greenville. “Maggie” as she was known to her loving family, celebrated her one-hundredth year surrounded by them on September 24, 2010. The much-beloved wife of Wayne A. Smalley, who left this life in August of 1979, she was the daughter of Walter William and Nettie Vickery Marett of Hartwell, Georgia. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Maggie taught high school English in several Georgia counties where her husband was a school administrator and Agricultural Commissioner. The Smalleys moved to Walhalla in 1944 where they owned and operated the Western Auto. Maggie often worked as the bookkeeper for her husband, then for her son who took over the business in 1971. She had a deep affection for her adopted hometown, was an avid gardener, a National Flower Show Judge, a charter member and first president of the Walhalla Pilot Club, outstanding hostess, and devoted member of the Paul Hayne Circle. She also served in the Walhalla Chapter of the DAR, was a Cub Scout leader and a member of the University Women’s Association. She joined Walhalla First Baptist Church in 1944, serving as GA leader, WMU Director and member and officer of the Tuesday Morning Round Table. Maggie was also a loyal supporter of the Oconee Community Theatre and the Oconee Humane Society. Called to travel, she enjoyed trips with her husband and her lifelong friend, Marie Whitmire, visiting Hawaii, Eastern and Western Europe, Russia, Australia, India and New Zealand. She was an avid reader of theology, women’s studies, biography, fiction and history. Mrs. Smalley’s brothers Walter, Harry, Arnold, Alton, Dan, and Bill Marett preceded her in death, along with her sister Elaine Marett Gordon. Maggie leaves behind her son, Wayne Allan Smalley, his wife Janet and their son Lee of Houston, Texas; her daughter Flora Marett Rogers, her husband Oliver, their daughters and sons-in-law Shannon and Rob Cole and Layne and Jeff Austin of Greenville, and a son Trask of Berkeley, California. Of particular joy in her last years were her great-grandchildren Marett and Edie Cole, and Maggie, Olivia, and Ellie Austin. The celebration of her life will be held in the chapel of Davenport Funeral Home in Walhalla at 2:00 PM on Friday, June 24, with visitation an hour prior to the service in the vestibule. She will be entered into rest at Oconee Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Walhalla Partners for Progress, Box 815, Walhalla, SC 29691 or to Walhalla First Baptist Church 403 E. Main St., Walhalla, SC.

Flora Marett Smalley

September 24, 1910 - June 21, 2011