Edna Gilley

GILLEY
Mar. 24, 1025-Jan. 9, 2015
Edna Earle Ivey Gilley. I am not sure how the world will keep spinning after January 9, 2015 because Edna Gilley left it. She was a vital, strong, independent woman who did things her way. She was born in Pinkard, AL March 24, 1925. She met her husband, Luther Lee Gilley (deceased) during WWII. When he came home from leave from the Navy, he stood on the steps of her mother's home and told her, "All I have in the world is in that seabag, but if you will have me, I will share it with you". They shared everything until his death from a heart attack in 1977. This courageous woman planted a rose garden on the spot where he fell. She worked in insurance for many years during which she was known for putting the claim of anyone who was rude to her on the bottom of the stack. She was an active and vocal member of Westlawn Baptist Church. After her retirement, she ran an in-home daycare. She was an adopted grandmother to many children. It was not just a job to her, it was a calling. She remembered what it was like to leave a young child and go to work, so she vowed to make it easier for other young mothers. She had one daughter, Marti Gilley Smith, who she taught to hold her head up, take care of herself and "change not complain". She had two granddaughters, Mariah Smith and Caitlin Smith, and one great-grandson, Teagan Burks, who were the light of her life. Her son-in-law is Thomas Smith, whom she loved as if he were her own. She was always there when we needed her. The most comforting words in the English language to her family are, "We will make some kind of arrangements", because once she said them, we knew the problem would be taken care of. Her family was her life. She was a woman of integrity, devoid of pretense. She loved deeply. As we mourn her passing we are grateful for her life. We feel that she is somewhere in her hot pink dress with matching shoes, dancing with her husband in his Navy dress blues, while Glenn Miller plays. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Hospice or Azalea Gardens Rehabilitation Facility. The family wishes to thank the employees of Azalea Gardens and Covenant Hospice for their loving care. We will always remember their many kindnesses. There will be a graveside service at Mobile Memorial Gardens at 12:00 on Thursday, January 15, 2015. Condolences may be offered to www.mobilememorialfunerals.com.

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