Larue Tice Smallman

LaRue was born Grace LaRue Tice on August 25, 1917 in Lansdale, PA. She was the sixth and youngest child of Charles W. and Emma Bishop Tice, and their only daughter.

LaRue graduated from Lansdale high school in 1935 and then completed nursing school. In 1937, LaRue married Richard Meredith Neal and, in her words, only practiced nursing on her family. In 1938, LaRue and Richard welcomed their only child, a son named Richard Meredith Neal, Jr.

When World War II began, Richard Sr. joined the Navy Construction Brigade and was stationed in the South Pacific. During his absence, LaRue took a job in a department store and learned to put up storm windows, clean gutters, and trim trees. LaRue was good friends with her three sisters-in-law and they all worked on their victory gardens together. When Richard Sr. was discharged, he resumed his carpentry work. LaRue kept her job at the department store to tide her family over during winters when construction work was scarce. In 1950, the family moved to North Miami, FL where Richard Sr. would have work year-round. In 1958 they started their own construction business. LaRue became secretary and bookkeeper, and developed any other skills necessary to make the family business run smoothly. LaRue became active in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and, in particular, the United Methodist Women. In September 1965, after 28 years of marriage, Richard Neal, Sr. was killed by a hit-and-run driver. Richard Jr. took over the business. LaRue continued to work in the office.

In 1967, LaRue married Walter Zimmerman who worked for one of Lancer Development’s suppliers. Even though they were of different religions, Walter attended church services with LaRue and took part in church social activities. Two years into their marriage, Walter became ill. He died of pancreatic cancer in June of 1971. LaRue was widowed for a second time.

A few months later, friends persuaded LaRue to join them on a Caribbean cruise with an ulterior motive. They planned for her to spend time with their 58 year old bachelor nephew. Harvey Smallman always said that he had his eye on LaRue when she was widowed the first time. And, while he was waiting a respectable time for her to mourn her first husband, Walter Zimmerman cut him out. After LaRue was widowed a second time, Harvey decided to take no chances and he soon began to court her. Harvey and LaRue were married in September 1972. They became snowbirds, splitting their time between their condo on the bay in North Miami and a cabin in the Pocono Mountains. Harvey and LaRue couldn’t wait until the grandchildren were old enough to visit them in the Poconos where they spent many summers fishing, hiking, kayaking, and playing cards with the neighbors. During this time, Harvey and LaRue also became world travelers. They visited England, Hawaii and the Caribbean. They also explored the United States and Canada by car. In the mid 1980’s Harvey and LaRue moved their Florida residence to a house that Richard Jr. built for them in Port St. Lucie, FL. They both became active in First United Methodist Church in Port St. Lucie and volunteered at the St Lucie County Historical Association. They continued to travel to Israel, and - via freighter cruises - to the Middle East, the Mediterranean, Europe, and South America via the Panama Canal.

In 1997, LaRue’s only child died of cancer, and the memory problems she had been suffering became more pronounced. It was several years before Alzheimer’s was officially diagnosed. She and Harvey coped with it in their own way. They strived to be independent and did not want to be a burden on anyone else. Harvey Smallman died in 2007 at the age of 92. Following Harvey’s death, LaRue entered assisted living in Port St. Lucie. She then moved to an Alzheimer’s care center in Austin, TX, to be closer to her granddaughter and her family. She was able to stay busy, make friends and enjoy family until her physical health began to fade.

On October 26, 2010, at the age of 93, LaRue’s body gave up. She had remained cheerful throughout the decline, always smiling to acknowledge little attentions and maintaining a sense of humor. She was a model of strength and resilience, always determined to make the best of whatever life brought her. She gave a lot of love to family and friends and was kind to everyone who crossed her path. She brought joy to all who knew her and will be dearly missed.

LaRue is survived by daughter-in-law, Frederica Neal of North Miami, FL, her grandson, Bryan Neal of Jacksonville, FL, granddaughter, Rebecca Neal-Beevers and husband Christopher Beevers of Austin, TX, granddaughter, Melanie Mataxas and husband Kevin Mataxas of Savannah, GA. LaRue is also survived by her great grandchildren, Matthew, John and Madison Mataxas of Savannah, GA, and Graham and Julia Beevers of Austin, TX.

Aycock Funeral Home in Port St Lucie is entrusted with arrangements. Friends may call during visitation