Frances Glassell Beale Smalley, 90, died gracefully at her home, Caryswood, on August 12, 2016. She joins her husband Robert Ware Smalley, Sr. and daughter Susan Smalley Sponseller.
Glassell was born in Bowling Green, VA on October 30, 1925 to Frances Glassell Beale and Richard Lee Beale. Her parents and her small hometown were the foundation for her unwavering faith in God, her devotion to family and her service to the community.
Glassell was a proud alumna of Agnes Scott College which began her lifelong support of education.
She married her beloved husband, Bob, in 1948 at her family home “Glassellton” in Bowling Green. They then began their life together in Berryville where they raised their four children. Her greatest joy in life was family. She opened her heart and home widely extending her love to many. She was indeed a beautiful and true family matriarch who blessed all being known as “Gammie”.
She was an active, faithful and devoted member of the Berryville Baptist Church since 1948.
Glassell served on numerous boards and committees. She was a local Girl Scout Leader and was on the Regional Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of America. Her participation and leadership in the Town and Country Garden Club and as a longtime volunteer at Blandy Experimental Farm professed her passion for gardening and nature. Upon the founding of the Clarke County Library, she was a volunteer and continued her work there for many years. She was among the first group of volunteers with Blue Ridge Hospice, providing much comfort and ease to those she assisted.
Many friends and loved ones were recipients of her thoughtful letters, caring words, kind wisdom, and her legendary pound cake.
In addition to her family and church, her favorite things in life were daily devotions, love of reading, watching the birds gather at her feeders, her many gardens, and lastly, her cherished yearly gatherings at Pawleys Island surrounded by her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.
Glassell is survived by two sons, Robert W. Smalley, Jr, and wife Anne, E. Scott Smalley and wife Eleanor, daughter, Glassell B. Smalley; son-in-law, Richard G. Sponseller; five grandsons, Grayson Sponseller, Tyler Sponseller and wife Lisa, Ware Smalley and wife Liz, John Smalley and Christopher Smalley; granddaughter, Ele Smalley; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
Along with her parents, husband, and daughter, Glassell was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard L. Beale, Jr. and G. William Beale, and sister, Louisa B. McGaughey.
Friends and family visitation will be on Friday, August 19, 2016, from 5-7 p.m. at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home, Berryville, VA.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Berryville Baptist Church on Saturday, August 20, 2016. Burial services will be private.
Memorial contributions in memory of Glassell may be sent to Berryville Baptist Church, Roof Fund, 114 Academy Street, Berryville, VA 22611 and Blue Ridge Hospice 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
To view the obituary and send condolences online, please visit www.endersandshirley.com.