Beverly Smalley

Beverly (Norman) Smalley, 84, of Saunderstown, Rhode Island passed away Sunday November 20, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Leroy Smalley. Born in Wakefield, she was the daughter of the late Ellis Norman Sr and Pauline (Reels) Norman.

Beverly attended South Kingstown High School. Upon graduation, she started her career at South County Hospital as switchboard operator and then went on to work for NYNEX Telephone Company. She was one of the first switchboard operators of color in the Wakefield office. She had a long career with the telephone company of 30 years ending with an executive position and was instrumental in supporting and improving diversity and inclusion at the company. She was a member of the telephone Pioneers and received several awards during this time, including the NYNEX Quality Award and the President’s Award for Volunteer Service. After retiring, Beverly went on to work for her dear friend the late Phyllis Monroe at the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe in Ledyard, Connecticut. She served as the Executive Assistant to the Tribal Manager and then Executive Assistant to Tribal Secretary Gary Carter. She spoke fondly of her years of work and accomplishments at the Telephone company and the Tribe. Beverly’s commitment to her community included being a member of the board of directors of CANE Day Care center. She also served as the Chairperson of the Narragansett Indian Housing Authority in 1988. Beverly and husband Leroy had a home on Martha’s Vineyard where they would visit Leroy’s family and spend time with their grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling across the US with grandson Shaun. Beverly also traveled internationally with her husband Leroy, closes friends and family.

Beverly is survived by her son, Jay Smalley, and his wife Millicent; grand-daughters, Tiffany Lee and Faith Ann Smalley; grandsons, Zachary Frederick and Shaun Smalley; a great grandson Marcus Smalley, and daughter in law, Dale Smalley. She also left behind her beloved dog Cindy Lou Smalley. Beverly is predeceased by her son, Keith Smalley; sister, Paula Thompson; and three brothers, Ellis Norman Jr., Raymond Norman, and Edward Norman.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 10:00am at Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia St., Wakefield. Visiting hours will be Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in Avery-Storti Funeral Home. Burial will be in New Fernwood Cemetery.