Ms. Daisy (Smith Holly) Shealey

UTICA – Ms. Daisy (Smith Holly) Shealey, age 94, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, May 18, 2022; she was blessed to transition peacefully with those she loved most in her heart. Daisy was born in Camp Hill, Alabama, on March 15, 1928, to the late Ural and Mildred (Harris) Smith Holly. There she was raised and educated in the Camp Hill school system. At one time, Daisy was married to James Wesley Foreman. Subsequently, Daisy shared a second union with Freddy Lee Shealey. In 1957, she relocated to Utica with her family to raise them in a place she believed offered a better life. While in Alabama, Daisy worked diligently both as a domestic and in farming. In Utica, her employment aspirations were met, and she very proudly became an employee of P. J. Green. After that, the job that had felt confined to her imagination became a reality, and Daisy seized the opportunity to be a Teacher’s Assistant for the Utica City School District at Potter School. Having come from a harsh, segregated world, Daisy was thrilled at the freedom to live her life as she saw fit by raising her family in a more accepting society. During her accumulation of memories over the years, Daisy had witnessed so much—so many harsh and cruel acts—and yet she harbored no resentment. As a mom, Daisy kept a meticulous home; she cleaned as she cooked. Her household further benefited from her excellent culinary skills, filled with old southern cuisine. Daisy would prepare each dish with precision. During the days when her children and grandchildren filled her home, Daisy saw her cooking as a way of extending her love. She made “food for the soul”; she surpassed everyone else’s fried chicken, her Mac and cheese was a crispy brown, her collard greens and corn on the cob were delicious, and her banana pudding was perfectly golden in color. Everything she cooked was to perfection as she put her heart and soul into her food. Her doctors and their staff would delight in Daisy’s fried chicken as she would kindly comply with their desires and generously bring them meals to her appointments. Daisy raised multiple generations, sending each off to school, interacting with them and instilling a value for education in them, which helped encourage her children to attend high school, and then the grandchildren to attend college. A wise woman, she would say such things that helped the kids know these academic goals were attainable. Once again, Daisy’s humble beginnings had been exceeded by the following generations, which could not have made her feel more accomplished—she saw the achievements of her kids and grandkids as her greatest triumph! Please do not misunderstand: Daisy was mindful of life’s obstacles, but in her home, she was graciously accepting of everyone, and was way ahead of her time. All those who were blessed to have this woman in their life knew the many roles she filled in the lives of her family members, of friends she loved, and of anyone who God put in her path. “God would provide”. Buoyed by this belief, Daisy led her life and it helped her survive each day. She was a single mom who instilled a love for the Lord Jesus Christ in her children. She was so filled by the promise that “You are never alone if you have the Lord in your heart.” Daisy lived her life for the Lord and prioritized reserving her Sunday’s best to go to the House of the Lord, which she saw as a gathering place of safety. Unfortunately, there were times when that wasn’t true, but Daisy’s courage enabled her to forge ahead. She had been a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church as well as the Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Her heart was huge with her generosity exhibited in countless acts of kindness, such as feeding plates to the homeless and needy and for any who came to her door. She carried grace and generosity throughout her life. When it was time for leisure and fun, Daisy turned to her favorite hobbies. An avid fan of the NY Yankees, Daisy insisted on quiet during the games; no one was allowed to speak, especially when Reggie Jackson came up to bat. Western movies were her favorite pastime, and she never refrained from dissecting what the characters should or shouldn’t have done—the quintessential armchair director! Ms. Daisy welcomed people of other faiths into her heart as well as her home when the Mormons would go door to door; she was very accepting and inviting, always wanting to know more. Over the course of 20 years, she befriended many of the Mormon children who came to visit her. Her grandchildren to this day, benefit from knowing people of this religion who befriended and admired Daisy from across the country. Daisy leaves to cherish her memory, her children: Gary, Sr. (and his late wife Linda); Linda (and her late husband Boysie); Loretta (and her late husband Milton); and Odum Jeffrey and his wife Rose. She was preceded by and is now reunited with her son Grady, and daughter, Gaynetta. Daisy will live on in the hearts of her grandchildren: Terri (Carl), Gary Jr., Duane, Shaneetka, Adrian (Ayanna), William, Boysie Jr., Katrina (Mark), Bradley, Ramona (Kerion), Tennell, Marquita, Quanetta, and Janetta. She held close the memory of her grandsons, Odum J. “Odie” Jr., who preceded her November 10, 2013; and Brian on August 15, 2004. Daisy leaves behind the third generation, her great-grandchildren, who are multiple in number and too many to name; as well as several great-great-grandchildren. Daisy was preceded by her sister and sister-in-law, Ruth and Mae Fannie; and her brother and brother-in-law, Edward and Henry. Daisy will be fondly remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. She will be missed by her in-laws, Sadie, Nora, and Ida Mae, whom she loved as a daughter. She will also be missed by Leonard, who was an additional son to her. Daisy was a loyal and trusted friend to many in her lifetime. The family extends their thanks to the caregivers and staff at the Presbyterian Home for CNY, especially the Seneca Unit 4, who were a good match for Daisy’s personality. Additional thanks are extended to Pastor Marilyn Bell, who kept a watchful eye on Daisy’s soul and who covered her in prayer. Visitation will be held on Friday morning, May 27, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Baptist Church, located at 219 Leah Street. Donations may be made in honor of Daisy’s memory to the Hope House (in which Daisy shared in their mission), online at http://hopehouseutica.org/donate/; envelopes will also be available at the service. Daisy’s Home Going Service and Celebration of Life will commence at 12:00 p.m. immediately following visitation. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Ms. Daisy (Smith Holly) Shealey

March 15, 1928 - May 18, 2022