Elva H. Smalling

Elva H. Smalling died Friday, February 8, 2013 in Life Care Center of Elizabethton following a brief illness. A native of Carter County, she was the daughter of the late Julia Dimple Mettetal and R. F. Smalling. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a niece, Mary E. Seims and a sister, Agnes E. Sellers. Survivors include a sister, Margaret Emilee Sherertz, a niece and three nephews. Ms. Smalling attended Carter County public schools, Lankenau School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA and Elizabethton Business College. She had been an industrial nurse, a laboratory technician and an industrial graphics designer, and had worked with North American Rayon Corporation, Beaunit Corporation and El Paso Company. Ms. Smalling was a long time member of the U.T. Extension Service and was instrumental in establishing the local Community Club Program. She was twice recognized for outstanding efforts as a Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser. She was a Methodist, a member of the Carter County Farm Bureau and a lifetime member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Ms. Smalling was a noted historian of the Watauga River Valley, serving as a source for writers and quoted in many books and publications. She was considered an authority on cooking, especially in the field of desserts. She also possessed a masterful knowledge of the art of quilting, serving as a board member on both the Governor’s and First Ladies’ Quilt Committees. A charter member of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, she was also a member of the Betsy Ross Foundation. Ms Smalling will lie in state on Saturday, February 16 and on Sunday, February 17 from 9:00 A.M. till 4:00 P.M. in the Rose Room of Hathaway-Percy Funeral and Cremation Services, 101 East F Street, Elizabethton. A private memorial service will be held at a future date for close friends and immediate family. Honorary pallbearers will be Truman H. Clark, Ben F. Colbaugh, Randy D. Colbaugh, Arnold O. Hopland, MD, Stanley T. Lewis, Dr. Monroe T. Morgan, Spencer Pickel and Larry W. VerRan. Special friends include, Howard L. Cummings, MD, Dr. Sarah and James Francis, Dr. Shirley L. Morgan, Beecher O’Quinn, Emma L. and Janet E. Pickel, Steve Seims, L. Joyce White, Bud and Betty Whitehead and Mary S. Woods. Elva’s deepest gratitude goes to the staff of Life Care Center of Elizabethton. Those wishing to make memorials may do so to the Local Historical Archive of the Elizabethton-Carter County Public Library, 201 N. Sycamore Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643.Read Obituary