Condolence: I attended church with Mrs. Smalley years ago in Hobbs at the Disciples of Christ. She was my Sunday School Teacher when I was in 6th grade. I always had nothing but respect and admiration for her. Mrs. Smalley was the true picture of a Christian woman. I have thought of her often over the years. May she rest in peace, and God's light shine through to her family during their time of grief.

Condolence: Miss Smalley was my first grade teacher in Hobbs, NM during the 1960-1961 School Year. She also played the piano at my wedding in 1972. She was one of the most precious people I ever knew. I have always been grateful for the wonderful start she gave me in school. I loved her dearly for the gentle kindness she always showed to everyone. We exchanged Christmas cards for many years after she returned to Springfield. I will hold her memory in my heart forever. God's comfort to her family.

Condolence: Miss Smalley was my first grade teacher at Willard in 1958. She was my "first" teacher since Willard didn't have kindergarten back then. Even though I moved away at Christmas that year, she had a tremendous impact on my life. I became a teacher and am now an author, thanks to the strong foundation she built for my future education. One day in class she read us the 23rd Psalm (religion still found its way into the schools in those days). It must have been the first time I'd heard it (or the first time I had paid attention to the words) because when she said, "...Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..."I thought she said my name (Shirley) and I got excited and asked her why my name was in there. She couldn't figure out what I was talking about for a few seconds, but then explained about homonyms. I knew she had moved to New Mexico and I tried to locate her on the Internet just a few years ago, but was unable to find her. I would have liked to have told her in person how grateful I was that she had been my teacher. I wish I had known she was at the Willard Care Center, not far from my house. I certainly would have visited her.