Beverly Mae Smiley

Beverly Mae Smiley was born in Bellflower, CA on March 26,1926. At the age of 94 went home to be with her Savior on Friday, April 17, 2020 in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. We do miss her dearly but we take solace in knowing that she is rejoicing with her husband who passed away in 1989 and other family members in heaven.

As a small child, her family moved to Carlsbad, CA where she lived until March of 2003 when she relocated to Rancho Cucamonga, CA. She married Millard Smiley when she was 17 years old. Soon after, Millard left to prepare for the invasion of Europe, where he was one of the first on the beach at Omaha. When he came home wounded and paralyzed from that conflict, Beverly displayed a deep courage of her own. As a young girl of 17, she had only been married to Millard for a short time before he shipped out. Now, at age 19, she was faced with traveling 8 hours from home to reunite with him not knowing what to expect. She saw many other women abandon their mangled husbands in the hospital in Modesto. Fear must have gripped her; fear of what the unknown future with a paralyzed husband would bring. But she had made a vow, and she had faith. Her decision to honor her vows was honored by God with a beautiful marriage, the healing of her husband, two beautiful daughters and a vibrant and growing family. None of which would have been possible without her act of courage as a lonely frightened nineteen year old who refused to yield to fear. Beverly saw God intervene time and again during difficult financial times and through many impossible healings.

She was a devoted daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her faith in God was very important to her and she modeled it and shared it with her family and friends. She also was willing to help others whether it was relatives or friends who she made feel like part of the family.

Beverly adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren so much that she always made sure to stock her house with their favorite goodies and treats. She was a loving hands on grandma and baked with her granddaughters and watched sports with her grandsons even though she was not a sports fan.She was her daughters’, grandkids’ and great grandkids’ biggest fan. She was patriotic, hospitable, generous and thoughtful, very proper but also fun with a witty sense of humor. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, shopping on QVC, decorating for every holiday, and making sure her M&M jars were well-stocked for anyone who came to visit.

Beverly believed deeply in the healing power of prayer and cherished the prayers of loved ones. She loved hymns, and one of her favorites was “I’m A Child of the King.” She believed the words of that song gave her confidence in knowing her identity from a young age.

She is preceded in death by her husband (Millard Smiley), her father and mother (Royal and Leona Smiley) and 4 siblings—LeRoy Smiley, Eileen Carpenter, Blaine Smiley, and David Smiley.

She is survived by her daughters Denise Cobb (James) of Tuscaloosa, AL and Joyce Guerra of Rancho Cucamonga, CA., three grandsons, Darren Guerra (Cat) of Fullerton, CA, Dennis Guerra (Stacey) of Mission Viejo, CA, Dustin Guerra of Rancho Cucamonga, CA., and two granddaughters Melissa Tuten (Charles) and Jamie Cobb both of Tuscaloosa, AL. Her 5 great-grandchildren also loved her dearly- Dyson and Grace Guerra of Mission Viejo, CA, Natalie Tuten of Tuscaloosa, AL, and Elizabeth and Serra Guerra of Fullerton, CA.

There will be a Celebration of Life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations could be made in her name to Remedy Church of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Disabled American Veterans, or WWII Museum.

Remedy Church of Rancho Cucamonga

9629 Balsa St.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

remedyrc.com

Disabled American Veterans

dav.org

World War II Museum

nationalww2museum.org

(in honor of Millard and Beverly Smiley, 1st Div, Omaha Beach)