Linda Delzell Smalley

A candle that burned brightly and lighted the way for so many for so long flickered for a moment and then burned out on April 21, 2014 when Linda Delzell Smalley, of La Grange, passed peacefully from the comfort of her earthly home into the loving arms of her Lord, her Savior. Linda was born to Wendell and Helen Delzell in Evanston, Ill., on June 24, 1942, while her father was serving in the U.S. Navy. During her early childhood, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where Linda would grow up and attend school, graduating from Washington High School in 1960. During her high school years, Linda visited Texas and Southern Methodist University while on a choir trip and fell in love with the campus. She went on to attend SMU after graduation and convinced her family (her mother, brother, and sister) to move to Texas in  1962 – unaware at the time how much this would later play a hand in  meeting the love of her life. While at SMU, she was an exemplary student and was a  member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society, and the Mortar Board Society while maintaining a perfect 4.0 grade point average. After graduation in 1964, she worked briefly in advertising – it was during this time that she began a lifelong love story with her neighbor four doors down, Bob Smalley. Bob proposed to Moon three weeks after they met and they married on June 26, 1965 in Dallas.

Bob and Moon were in Albuquerque, N.M., where Bob did his internship and residency, in 1968 when they celebrated 

the birth of their son, Mike. In 1971, they moved to Lubbock where they built Bob’s radiology practice and, in 1973, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Jean. In 1985, the family moved to La Grange where they built another

practice and have lived ever since. A devout Christian, Linda was always very involved in the Presbyterian Church communities wherever she lived. An ordained elder, she served in many leadership roles at the First Presbyterian Church in La Grange. She served as the choir director, taught the Women’s Circle III Bible Study, and even preached

on occasion. Through the church and its ministries, she also, quietly, gave a lot to those in need. A passionate fan of sports, Linda never missed a Cowboys game and practiced patience  with the team’s current ownership. She loved golf and tennis, kept her television tuned to the NCAA Basketball Tournament in March, and would often while away summer evenings listening to the dulcet tones of Vin Scully during Dodger broadcasts. Surviving to cherish her memory are the love of her life and husband of 48 years, Dr. Robert Smalley; her son, Michael Smalley and girlfriend, April Feray, of La Grange; her daughter, Jean Davis and husband, Richard, of El Campo; and her grandson, Eric Smalley of Waco; as well as her sister Nancy  Delzell Mason and husband, Jack, of Magnolia; her brother Larry Delzell and wife, Paula, of Plano; along with nieces Amy and Lisa Mason of Houston and nephews Christian and Matthew Delzell of Dallas. She was preceded on to glory by her mother, Helen. She was widely loved and admired and leaves behind many who will miss her deeply, but will look forward to seeing her again one day. Linda’s friends and family will always remember her wit, intelligence, inquisitive nature, selflessness, musical talents, and tireless dedication to  those she loved and protected. In the words of Irving Berlin, “The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.” Following a private family burial in  Winchester, there will be a memorial service celebrating her memory on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in La Grange. In lieu of flowers, Linda asked that memorials be given to the Chancel Choir of First

Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 368, La Grange, Texas 78945; Relay for Life, American Cancer Society, La Grange Chapter, 553 E. Walnut, La Grange, Texas 78945; Brazos Valley Hospice, 1048 N. Jefferson, La Grange, Texas 78945; or a charity of your choice. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com.

Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements