A celebration of life for Mrs. Mattie Pauline Smiley, 96, of Talladega will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Peace Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will be in Pine Hill Memorial Park. Mrs. Smiley will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. on Friday, April 19, 2024, at the funeral home.

On September 16, 1927, the sun rose and a beautiful, curly headed baby entered this world and blessed George and Eugenia Franklin. She was so loved that her spinster Aunt Seppie Jones took on the loving role of raising this beautiful angel as her own. Of course, she spoiled her but totally raised her the old fashioned way.

She was educated in the Talladega County School System and attended Sessions Private School located on the campus of Talladega College. She would often tell us that she went to Talladega College going through every building and room.

In her teen years, she met and fell in love with the love of her life, James W. Smiley. They bonded in holy matrimony and to this union seven children were born, Carolyn, Jamesetta, Paul, Charles, James II “Bill”, Larsinia and Donald. Her husband James in the military granting her the privilege of traveling extensively and giving her the chance to see most of the world. She lived abroad twice in Germany, Baumholder and Nuremburg, and learned to speak their language. The love of her life made sure of this since she could not communicate with the housekeeper.

She began her Christian journey First Congregational Church, attended New Hope Baptist Church in Van Buren, Arkansas while stationed there, Mt. Canaan Baptist Church and later Peace Missionary Baptist Church. She was active in many missions such as the matrons, deaconess and the music ministries playing for all choirs, the youth, young adults, The Wilson Inspiration and the male chorus. She was also a member of the Ethel Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Mother Smiley as she was affectionately called, started playing the piano as a youth and played at several area churches starting at the First Congregational Church, Mt. Cleveland, Mt Canaan and Peace Missionary Baptist Church. Upon joining Peace Baptist she was the sole musician for 36 years. She made a vow to the Lord, stating that, “she would serve Him until she died” and she never missed a Sunday until her health declined. She was at the piano at every service and program and only missed one Sunday throughout the years and that was when the love of her life crossed over to the other side. That was her piano and she did not want anyone touching or playing it except her.

On the evening of Sunday, April 14th, the sun set and Mother Smiley gained her heavenly wings and went to be with the Lord. Meeting her there was her loving husband Bessie, as she called him; her son, Bill; her parents; loving Aunt Seppie (Burr); three sisters and four brothers.

She leaves to mourn her three daughters, Carolyn (Eric) Morris, Jamesetta (Ralph) Putnam and Larsinia (Kenny) Hann and three sons, Paul Smiley, Charles (Martha) Smiley and Donald Smiley. Also mourning her is a special grandson, Terry I. Smiley; fourteen additional grandchildren, Carlos Storey, Tamila Yarborough, Travis Storey, Melody Cook, Aletta Hauser, Tracey Scott, Christopher Curry, Tasha Gray, Marshae Smiley Jones, Edwina Williams, Johnathan Lawson, Anita Rivas, Christopher Cowan and Azzarria Smiley; thirty-one great grandchildren, twenty-seven great-great grandchildren; a sister, Edwina White; a bonus daughter, Gail Millender; the Tanner family: and a host of other relatives and friends.