Melba L. Smiley's Obituary
Melba L. Smiley, passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. She was 61 years old.
She was born on March 26, 1953 in Salisbury, MD and was a daughter of the late Raymond Leatherbury, Sr. and Freda Brown Leatherbury.
Melba graduated from United Bible Center in 2006, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in theology. She was employed as a relief worker with Perdue Farms in Salisbury. She was very active in her church, severing as pastor secretary, church secretary, new convert instructor, pastor’s aide, past deaconess, and Sunday school teacher. She was also a member of the Culinary Ministry, Deborah’s Sisters, the Ministerial Staff, and the finance committee as well as a past member of the gospel choir and the usher’s committee. Melba loved singing in the choir with her church family, where she was a part of the mass and senior choirs. She enjoyed arts and crafts, knitting and puzzles. Most of all Melba enjoyed spending time with her family especially her two grandsons, who were the love’s of her life. She attended every sporting event and school function that her grandsons participated in.
Mrs. Smiley is survived by her husband of 32 years, Franklin Smiley, of Mardela Springs, one daughter, Dawn Mills and husband Bunyan, Salisbury, two grandsons, Nigal Mills, of Salisbury, and Jalen Mills, of Salisbury, two brothers, Raymond Leatherbury, Jr., of Denver, Colorado, and William Leatherbury and wife Myuki, of Wyocohoma, Japan, four sisters, Priscilla Stewart and husband Daniel, of Columbus, Ohio, Ramona King and husband James, of Coshocton, Ohio, Mary Mincy and husband Mark, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lois Leatherbury, of Indianapolis, Indiana, four great uncles, Ezxact Brown, of Salisbury, Matthew Leatherbury and wife Claudette, of Princess Anne, Samuel Leatherbury and wife Kathleen, of Fruitland, and David Leatherbury and wife Levinia, of Clinton, five great aunts, Mary Alice Moore, of Chicago, Illinois, Julia DeShields, of Princess Anne, Pearline Price, of Princess Anne, Martha Mitchell and husband Joseph, of Loveland, Ohio, and Dorothy Wright and husband Walter of Princess Anne.
The family would like to thank the following: Mrs. Mary Bolden, who was like a Godmother to Melba, Helena Richardson, Mrs. Bertha Bryant, Errond and Martha Truitt, Ms. Elizabeth Carter, Maurice Duncan, Eugene Greene, Mrs. Rosalynn Baker and Keith Bolden. All gave special love, attention, and care to Melba.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Matthews First Baptist Church with Pastor Matthew Phillips officiating. Interment will follow at St. Matthews Cemetery. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday evening and on Saturday from 11 to 12 p.m. at the church.
What’s your fondest memory of Melba?
What’s a lesson you learned from Melba?
Share a story where Melba's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Melba you’ll never forget.
How did Melba make you smile?
