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James Edward Smalling, 76

James Edward Smalling, was born in Macon County, Tennessee on February 28, 1937 to the late Fred Smalling, and Flossie Rulene Cook Smalling. He was one of three siblings born to this union. Besides his parents, one brother, Donald Wayne Smalling also preceded James in death. As a young boy, James was saved as he knelt in the floor in front of the mourner’s bench at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. He married the love of his life, the former Hazel Halliburton on November 3, 1956. They have two daughters, Kathy and Deborah; that James adored. James and Hazel shared fifty-six wonderful years together. James worked as a mechanic most of his life, he retired in 2009. Whether sitting on a boat or on the creek bank, fishing was what James truly enjoyed, as long as his health permitted. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. James loved going to his grandkids ballgames, and he enjoyed watching racing and sports on television. On Monday, April 29, 2013 the Lord called James home. There will be an empty spot left in the lives’ of Hazel and the family, but our loss is Heaven’s Gain. Funeral Services for James Smalling were conducted Thursday at 2 PM from the Chapel of Alexander Funeral Home with Elder Daniel Cook and Elder J. E. Shoulders officiating. Keith Kirby, Jerry Cook, Doyle Pruitt, Bud Cook, Chris Gregory, and Jerry Strode served as Pallbearers. Interment followed in the Galen Cemetery. James is survived by; Wife, Hazel Smalling of Lafayette, TN, Daughters, Kathy (Terry) Law of Gallatin, TN, and Deborah Kirby of Lafayette, TN, Grandsons, Andy Goad and Daniel (Miranda) Cook all of Pleasant Shade, TN, and Keith Kirby of Lebanon, TN, Great-Granddaughters, Mia Cook and Maci Cook both of Pleasant Shade, TN, and Sister, Versie (Garlin) Dotson of Somerset, KY.