Funeral services for Mrs. Rilla Walley, 100, of Gadsden, who passed away Saturday, October 15, 2022, will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 22, 2022 at Collier-Butler Chapel in Gadsden, Al. The family will receive friends at 11:30 a.m. until the hour of service. Rev. Michael Knight will officiate with the eulogy to be given by Zane Smith. Burial will follow at Free Home Church Cemetery in Grant. The arrangements are under the direction of Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services.
Rilla Adeline Dabbs Walley was born on September 13, 1922 in Grant, Alabama. She was the eldest of eleven children. On February 8, 1943, she married John Robert Walley, of Scottsboro. The Walley family moved to Gadsden, Al, after he served in World War II. They were married for 59 years and were blessed with six children. Mrs. Walley was a charter member of South Gadsden Church of God (now Safe Harbor Church of God) and was recognized and honored there as the only living charter member several years ago.
Rilla was known as “Mom” or “Momma”, to her children and as “Maw Maw” or “Grandmother” to her grandchildren. To fellow church members, she was known as “Sister” Walley. Growing up as the eldest of a large family, she learned the meaning of hard work and self-sacrifice while working on the family farm and helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters. Her husband once remarked that he didn’t know anyone who could out-work her. She was known to be very disciplined with a quiet strength that allowed her to remain true to her beliefs even in the face of the tragic and untimely deaths of her loved ones. Mr. and Mrs. Walley became Christians as adults and were baptized at the same time. Together they pastored several churches for many years. Their children were raised going to church services, tent revivals and singings where their father would frequently preach, sing, and play musical instruments. It was a huge part of their lives.
Mrs. Walley was widely known for her hospitality and was always prepared and ready to welcome visitors into her home. She kept an impeccably clean house, and her stove was always covered with steaming pots of beans, potatoes and cornbread. “Take out” was a favorite phrase she always spoke to those fortunate enough to be at her table, and she did her best to make sure no one left her home hungry. She loved for visitors to come and hated to see them go. “What’s your hurry?” was what one would frequently hear when it was time to leave. She loved “company”.
She loved to visit family, listening to music, and gardening. She had a few favorite songs that stood out over the years: “Wildwood Flower” and “Keep on the Sunny Side” both popularized by the Carter Family. Later in life she would sing “I Want Us to be Together (in Heaven)” to those who visited her in the nursing home.
Mrs. Walley was one of the sweetest women you would ever meet. She was patient and never had an unkind word to say about anybody. She lived a simple life of routine, free of unnecessary distractions. Though her life may have been simple, she managed to impact many people over the years who will always remember her for her love, generosity and the Godly influence she had in their lives.
Mrs. Walley was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. John Walley, sons Jimmy Walley and Wesley Walley and son-in-law Edward Buckner.
She is survived by her four children: Alma (Wanda) Buckner, Lin (Lindsey) Walley, Linda Akins (David), and Tina Neff (Jim). Grandchildren: Greg Buckner, Lana Miller (Wayne), Shannon Wright (Michael), Amanda Fant (Scott), Lori Smith (Zane), Matthew Akins (Leslie), Katie Marie Montgomery (Kevin), Benjamin (Claudette) Neff, Jamina Neff, Talia Neff, Liana Neff and Litia Neff. Great-grandchildren: Joshua Buckner, Jared Buckner, Jacob Buckner, Hannah Buckner, Brittany (Nick) Spicer, Hayden (Melissa) Miller, Allison (Jake) Lange, Adam (Hayley) Wright, Isaac Wright, Victoria Fant, Anna Fant, Nate Fant, Zander Smith, Shepherd Smith, Rowan Smith, and Finley Montgomery. Great-great grandchildren: Levi Spicer, Carson Miller, Austin Miller, Kennedy Miller, Adeline Lange, Wesley Lange, and Everly Lange.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and grandsons-in-law.
Honorary Pallbearers will be great-grandsons and great-great-grandsons.
The family would like to express a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Gadsden Health Care, Station One.
