Mary E Smallin Bales

Mary E. Smallin Bales, age 71, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2006 in a local hospital. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and a loving friend. She was of the Baptist faith. She was the daughter of the late Aris and Dossie Bell Freeman Smallin and was also preceded in death by her husband, George Jennings Bales, and grandson, Jason Bales. As the last survivor of a family of nine, she was also preceded in death by all her siblings. She is survived by six children and spouses: Larry and Amy Bales, Johnny Bales, Debra Sullivan, Cheryl and Ted Smith, Della and Dennis Gibson, all of Cleveland, and Angela and Wally Coffman of McDonald; eleven grandchildren: D.J. Bales, Katelyn Retzlaff, George Albert Bales, Deborah Haney, Mary Ann Ross, Daniel Ray Stinnett, T.J. Smith, Dennis Gibson, Jr., Jesse Gibson, Amber Gibson and Haley Gibson; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Luther Eslinger officiating. Interment will follow in Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Tellico with T. J. Smith, D. J. Bales, Daniel Stinnett, Dennis Gibson, Jr., Neil Haney and George Albert Bales serving as pallbearers. The graveside service will conclude with a white dove release ceremony.