Helen Hawkins Smalley

My mother, Helen Hawkins Smalley was born right here in Birmingham, Alabama on May 23rd, 1930. My Father, Roy Smalley was 3 years older than Mother. They met at Woodlawn High School here in Birmingham. Daddy was always very interested being around Mother and he was always trying to hang around with her! Mother was usually dating a lot of fellas during that time. When Daddy became a pretty good defensive right guard, Mother changed her tune, and going forward, Daddy became the man she fell in love with!

Daddy played football at Woodlawn with Bobby Bowden his future wife Ann. All of them also grew as close friends at the University of Alabama, and Mother became Roy’s “favorite girl”!

Mother was in the ADPhi Sorority and the sisters were known as the “smart sorority”! Mother ended up being the ‘judge’ of the of the Panhellenic sororities, & Mother had to one that gave the penalties to hand out! Due to her status, Mother chose to NOT drink alcohol beverages so that she wouldn’t become a hypocrite!!!

Daddy was in the Naval Air Force beginning in the 1940’s. My parents were married on October 5th, 1951 and had their reception in my grandparents home (Morris & Helen Hawkins) on Sunset Drive in Vestavia, Alabama.

After their marriage, Roy, with Mother in tow, served in Memphis, Tennessee, where they had their very first dog, Jet. She was a black cocker spaniel and they enjoyed 17 years with her! After Memphis, Daddy was then shipped off to Key West.

My sister, Lillian Lee was born on June 6, 1954, which happened to be the 10th anniversary of D-Day, and Lee was VERY proud of that!

I was born in Atlanta when Daddy became a Lieutenant Commander at Dobbins Air Force base, and that’s when I came around… When I was 4, we moved to Vestavia Hills, Alabama, and we never left here! We became members of the Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church!

Daddy went into the Naval Reserves, and from then on, he spent one weekend every single month until he retired.

Mother became an amazing realtor with some great talents she learned. Twice Mother became ‘Realtor of the Year’ by selling over one million dollars each time! Back then, it took 15-20 houses to make that much money!!

Mother was a Girl Scout leader, whom many girls in their troop are still here close to home! Mother also played golf, but rarely in the top flights of play, but she always was in the mix of getting tournaments started. Vestavia Country Club has always been here for active social activities.

Mother founded the Women’s Alabama Golf Association (WAGA) and was invested with womens golfers throughout the state!

She never lost joy in golf!

I will miss Mother terribly, but she will always be in my heart. Love, kisses and a huge ROLL TIDE to every single one of you!!! There’s always an elephant in every corner!

There will be a Visitation at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The Funeral Service will follow at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 11:00 AM with Burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery.