Mildred L. Smiley

Mildred Louise Landram Smiley, 97, passed away on Thursday, February 15, 2024, at Shenandoah Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fishersville.

She was born on October 30, 1926 to the late Luther E. Landram and Edith Gilkerson Landram in Staunton.

In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband, Robert S. Smiley, Jr.

Her father Luther and her uncle, George Doome played in the Stonewall Brigade Band. Occasionally she was asked to play with the band in her earlier teenage years. Mrs. Smiley believes she was the first female to play with the Brigade Band.

Mrs. Smiley graduated from Robert E. Lee High School and attended Mary Baldwin College. She worked in the banking industry for thirty three years. 

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Smiley of Mount Sidney and her partner, Walter Killian; her granddaughter, Erin Weseman and her best friend and partner, Britton Craig, also of Mount Sidney; her grandson, Nicholas Weseman and his wife, Renee; and a great-granddaughter, all of Shenandoah. She is also survived by Fran Weseman of Charlottesville, the father of her grandchildren.

A funeral service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at Thornrose Cemetery in Staunton on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 2:00 PM. Pastor Derrick Boggs will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cat's Cradle (122 South Main Street, #101, Harrisonburg, VA 22801) or to the Shenandoah Valley Animal Services Center (1001 Mount Torrey Road, Lyndhurst, VA 22952).