Nancy Lee Smiley

Nancy Lee Smiley of Collegedale, TN passed away on 08/07, peacefully at her home in Collegedale. Nancy was born in Monmouth, Illinois on July 6, 1941, to the late Edward “Luther” Wright and Kathleene Juanita Jones Wright.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband George Albert Smiley Jr., her brothers Rodrick Wright, David Wright, and Trenton Wright, and her granddaughter Sarah Walsh. Nancy is survived by her six children, Karen Smiley Walsh, Ginger Smiley Lindas, Debra Smiley Kirkland, Cynthia Smiley Kyle, George Smiley, Joshua Smiley, her grandchildren Brian Walsh, Robert Kyle IV, Benjamin Kyle, Christopher Kyle, Jacob Kyle, Whaylone Yatilman, Kinotis Lotis, Brianne Piyabulmal, and her four great-grandchildren Eliana Kyle, Alexandria “Allie” Kyle, Robert Kyle V, and Hiram Kyle. She is also survived by her brother Joseph Wright and her sister Margaret Wright Marion.

Nancy went to boarding academy as a young lady. She was a candy striper and a waitress in her late teens and early twenties. She met her husband, George Smiley, while waitressing at a Big Boys drive in at the age of 21. Ten days later, Nancy eloped with George. The two of them enjoyed their little Cessna airplane until their fourth child was on the way. They started their own business, Smiley’s Blacktop, with Nancy taking on the role of secretary and bookkeeper. They enjoyed taking their family of four girls and one boy on month long vacations to Florida each December. Nancy enjoyed planting flowers in the yard and would send bouquets with her children to give to their teachers on the first day of school. She enjoyed baking sweets and would often make up to 12 different delicacies for the Christmas holiday. She is also remembered for her iconic chocolate chip cookies. After the passing of her husband, Nancy, age 44, had so much love to give that she became a foster parent, adopting her first foster child as her sixth child. Nancy had over 75 children in her home in the 30-some years she was a foster mom. Her love for her fellow mankind didn’t stop with taking care of children. Nancy was a greeter at her church and hugged everyone who walked into the church. As one of her kids put it, she has “smooshy, snuggly hugs”. She also sent birthday cards to every one of the members of her church year after year. Nancy enjoyed collecting Westmoreland Milk Glass, playing games with her family, going to garage sales and spoiling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

We cherished the time we had with Nancy and eagerly await a reunion when Jesus comes.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026 at 1:00 pm, at the West Batavia Cemetery 900 S. Batavia Ave., Batavia, IL. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ooltewah Seventh Day Adventist church 6233 Ooltewah Georgetown Rd, Ooltewah TN 37363 on Sunday, August 16, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm with Pastor Peter Kulakov officiating.

Please share your thoughts and memories online at www.ChattanoogaValleyViewChapel.com

Announcement by Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, Valley View Chapel, 7414 Old Lee Highway, Chattanooga, TN 37421.