Marvin Smiley

Marvin Smiley became the third-born child to Percy and Dorothy Smiley on Feb. 11, 1948. He was reared along with his three siblings Percy Jr., Barbara (Hawkins), and Derek in the Hooper City area of Birmingham.

He accepted God at an early age at the former Providence Baptist Church in Hooper City where he sang in the choir. This would lay the Christian foundation for his eventual ordination as a Deacon at Sardis Baptist Church and then as a Deacon and finally his current role as Elder at Harvest Community Church, C.P.C.

Marvin's education included matriculation from Zion Heights Elementary School, Lewis Elementary School, Carver High School, Jefferson State Junior College, and then the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He graduated from UAB with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections.

Following high school, Marvin was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served tours during the Vietnam War and earned three Purple Hearts. After one battle, he was wounded and found to be the last soldier in his platoon to be left alive.

Marvin returned to Birmingham and married Linda (Blackmon) Robertson and the couple welcomed two daughters, the late Erika Smiley (Mahan) and Staci Smiley (McCloud).

He would later marry his current wife of nearly 43 years, Winifred M. (Rucker, Coman) Smiley, and become the loving father to four "bonus" young ladies: Tracey Coman Weaver (Dunlap), Rhonda Coman-Shaheed, Angelyn Coman-Scott, and Victoria Coman-Jackson.

His professional life included serving 31 years with the Jefferson County Family Court as a Probation Officer and then Child Support Enforcement Supervisor; the latter from which he retired. Marvin's jobs after retirement included working as a Paraprofessional for the Birmingham City Schools System, a security guard for various sports events, and a FedEx package deliverer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Dorothy; daughter Erika; and Son-In-Law the late Sgt. Dennis W. Jackson.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Winifred, daughters Staci with Tracey (Ray Weaver, Arthur Dunlap), Rhonda (Antonio Shaheed), Angelyn (Torrance Scott), and Victoria (the late Sgt. Jackson); grandchildren Garrett McCloud and Carrington McCloud; Christopher Coman (Courtnie); Lela Samone (Weaver, Smiley) Goolsby (Dylan); Edward "E.J." Weaver; Alexandra (Forrest) Sheffield (Ivory); Torrance "Taz" and Eric Scott; and Victor and Christian Jackson. Great Grandchildren are Emma and Lydia Goolsby and four "bonus" Great Grandchildren.

Marvin also leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, "adopted" daughters, sons, sisters, and brothers, along with devoted members of Harvest Community Church and members of the Birmingham Emmaus Community, and cherished friends.

A celebration of life gathering for Marvin will be held Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ridout's Trussville Chapel, 1500 Gadsden Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35235. A funeral service will occur Friday, December 23, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Victory City Birmingham, 1529 East Lake Blvd, Tarrant, AL 35217.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutstrussvillechapel.com for the Smiley family.