Margery "Jean" Small

Margery “Jean” Small, 97, peacefully passed away at the Washington Odd Fellows Nursing Home, September 13, 2018.

Jean was born January 30, 1921, in Walla Walla to Stanley J. Wolfe and Olive (Yeend) Wolfe. She grew up in the Valley Grove area and attended grade school in a one room school house before transferring to Walla Walla High School and graduating in 1939.

After high school she attended Deaconess School of Nursing in Spokane. Upon graduation, she enlisted and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II as a nurse. She returned to Walla Walla in 1946 and married Ray L. Small, Jr. They settled on the family farm up Woodward Canyon Road near Lowden, where she raised her family. In 1975 Ray and Jean moved to Walla Walla across from Pioneer Park. After raising her family, she worked several years as a nurse for Whitman College.

Jean was an active, lifetime member of Pioneer United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Lowden Study Club and Northwest Grain Growers. Jean was a devoted wife and mother. She was a kind and gentle woman who loved gardening and was famous for “Jeans Beans” and her dill pickles. She enjoyed her morning walks through Pioneer Park where she would collect cans, recycle them and donate the money to her church. She treasured her time spent on the Oregon Coast.

Jean is survived by her four sons: Rick (Darcey) Small, Jim (Pat) Small, Joe (Susan) Small and Dave Small. She is further survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Small; daughter-in-law, Jill Small; and her parents.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, September 20, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at the Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla WA.