She had a contagious smile. She had an affectionate giggle. Her personality could draw you in regardless of what you were going through and help bring balance to whatever uncertainty you had experienced. Girlish bright eyes with a bashful face, yet wise beyond her looks. Teresa Lachelle "Buffie" Smalley was the first and only child born to Clarence and Gloria McDonald-Smalley on September 12, 1970.

"Buffie", affectionally called by her family and friends was raised in Hot Springs, AR by her maternal grandparents the late Queen Bohlar and James McDonald. She was the apple of her grandparent's eyes. Her grandparents taught her the values of family pride, loyalty, love, and community. These values would carry throughout her adulthood into relationships with family, friends, and coworkers. Many of her uncles and cousins were more like brothers and sisters. And within those relationships, Buffie was known as their "Baby" and even as an adult she never let them forget she was still the "Baby."

Education and knowledge were necessary for Buffie to be the best in whatever occupation she pursued. She was educated in the Hot Springs Public School District and received certificates of competency from various employment opportunities. Work was an intricate part of her DNA. Buffie loved to work. She was successful at whatever job she was asked to perform. Her first jobs were in the food industry. She quickly rose to managerial positions because of her quick wit, eagerness, willingness to learn, customer service, and loyalty. In her later years, she found the most passion within her career at Home Depot. Employees recognized her passion. The company appreciated her attention to detail. She was promoted
multiple times. She was beloved by her work family. But there's one caveat: She still needed a power nap at the end of a shift to continue her day. She loved her some naps.

Buffie enjoyed work. But work wasn't the only thing that Buffie loved. She loved to travel. She enjoyed culture. One could say that Buffie was an adventurer. If someone said, "Let's go!" Buffie's response would be, "When?" Taking cruises were her favorite. She was at home on the water. Her family would take her to travel abroad to Amsterdam, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and other must-see destinations that were on her bucket list. And let's not forget shopping. Buffie loved to shop. She shopped on trips. She shopped in Little Rock. She shopped in Hot Springs. It didn't matter where she was, if there were shoes, clothes, or jewelry, Buffie was interested.

One of the biggest desires for Buffie during her lifetime was becoming a mother. Some people are natural nurturers. Buffie had the mother gene. LaWanna and Eimora were her girls, and she was their Mama. She pampered, loved, educated, adored, and taught them the exact life lessons passed down from her grandparents. She raised them with unconditional love and unwavering faith.

Buffie's siblings defined family. Her siblings were close to her but in the latter years, they became the best of friends. She cherished each of those relationships until her last days. Friends were her extended family. Co-workers were her dearest friends. They have always been her go-to when she needed extra support. They were her listening ear. Friendship meant everything.

Life for Buffie was not always without setbacks, disappointments, and heartaches. Diagnosed with the cruel diseases of cancer and diabetes early in life. Buffie beat cancer. Buffie BEAT CANCER. She was a fighter. And her fight helped her learn to live with diabetes with the help of her dearest mother Gloria, and family. However, her diabetes in the last few years became extremely aggressive. She fought back and won many of the health challenges she faced. On November 3, 2022, our amazing family member, friend, and colleague quietly transitioned in her sleep.

Buffie was preceded by her maternal grandparents Queen Bohlar and James McDonald, paternal grandparents Irene Smalley-Powell, E.J. Powell, Clarence Smalley Sr., uncles Lincoln J. Taylor, Billy R. Logan, George W. Evans, Shadee Mohamed, aunt Iola Johnson, and a special friend Billy "Sacky" Washington.

Those left to cherish Buffie's love and memories include her mother, Gloria Smalley of Little Rock, AR; her father Clarence Smalley (Patricia) of Hot Springs, AR; her girls; LaWanna McDonald and Eimora Hattison both of Little Rock, AR; sisters; Mathesisa (Mitch) Erby of Hot Springs, AR, Candace Early of Dallas, TX, Tina Smalley of Canton, MI, and Krystal Smalley of Atlanta, GA; brothers; Courtney Smalley (Nicole Girolami) of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Nicholas (Christi) Smalley of Hot Springs, AR; uncles; Andrew "Ray" McDonald of Little Rock, AR, James Davis of Hot Springs, AR, Thomas Davis (Ambioris Florian) New York, New York; aunt; Janice Davis of Hot Springs, AR; nieces and nephews; as well as cousins.

The funeral will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 11:00 AM. The visitation will be one hour prior to the service at Holy Ghost Headquarters 1900 Hobson Ave Hot Springs, Arkansas 71913. The graveside will be Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Crestview Cemetary 3077 East Grand Ave Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

The guest registry is at http://www.carriganmemorial.com

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.