Anne Overstreet Smiley

Born May 19, 1939, in Lynchburg to the late Earl Pendleton Overstreet and Elsie Shelton Overstreet, she was the wife of the late David Richard Smiley. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Wendell Lee Overstreet.

She is survived by her three children, son and “bodyguard” Arthur B. Dodd, III of Lynchburg, son Michael O. Dodd (Jackie) of New Bern, NC., and daughter, Debby D. Diffenbaugh (Jon) of Chocowinity, NC; step-son, Jeffrey R. Smiley (Kathy Snider) of Bluefield, WV; also survived by her first husband and the father of her children, Arthur B. Dodd, Jr. of Madison Heights.

She was an amazing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her four grandchildren, Tony Diffenbaugh (Megan), Gretchen Long (Corey), Ethan Diffenbaugh (Hanna), and Delaney Dodd (Austin Long) all of NC; along with her five beautiful great-grandchildren that she so cherished, Peyton Rose Diffenbaugh, Gavin A. Long, Genevieve G. Long, Jessie Gray Diffenbaugh, and Hope Anne Diffenbaugh (just born on November 25, 2024).

She loved reading and always had a book by her side. She was an avid proofreader of the newspaper, books, and magazines (always complaining about the typing errors). She loved shopping – clothes, shoes, purses, or furniture, you name it. She grew up in both Lynchburg and Monroe, graduated from Madison Heights High School and attended Mary Washington College. Early in her life, the teaching of young children was her passion in the public schools wherever she had lived. She spent most of her working career in Virginia Beach with Allstate Insurance Corporation. Moving back home to Lynchburg after 30 years in Virginia Beach and reconnecting with her lifelong girlfriends (Martha Lee, Barbara & Eleanor) was such a joy for her, for which all the family is grateful.

A funeral service celebrating her life will be conducted on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Whitten Monelison Chapel officiated by Pastor Barry Tucker. Interment will follow the service at Fort Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, starting at 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the following: The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), The American Heart Association (www.heart.org) or the National M.S. Society (www.nationalmssociety.org). P.S. – Mom, ready for you to proof…