John Denny Alley

John Denny Alley MARION, Va. John Denny Alley, age 93, died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at his home. John was born May 25, 1917, in Smyth County to the late James Anderson and Mary Elizabeth Rainey Heniger Alley. He enlisted in the Army, Oct. 9, 1942, and served in the 83rd Infantry Division, Company A, 331st Infantry. He was stationed at Camp Atterbury, Ind.; Breckinridge, Ky.; Camp Shanks, N.Y., and Tennessee maneuvers. John participated in action in Normandy, Nothern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was in a field hospital for 17 days in July 1944 with combat fatigue, then sent back to his old Company A, 331st. Just as he walked up to headquarters, he heard Sgt. Brown say he needed a messenger and 1st Sgt. Cramer pointed at John and said, "there's a good one". He remained at headquarters until the war ended. Pfc. Alley was discharged Nov. 15, 1945. Decorations included Purple Heart, for wound at Ham; EAME Ribbon, Good Conduct, American Theater Service Ribbon and World War II Victory Ribbon. Upon returning home from the war, he worked at Brunswick for the next 38 years until his retirement. John was an avid bowler and golfer. He was well-known for the tomatoes he grew every year. His green thumb could make anything grow! He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Marion and a life long member of Marion VFW Post No. 4667. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Woodrow and Sherrill Alley; four sisters, Mary Alice Booth, Sue Eggleston, Margaret "Mag" Totten and Elizabeth Lee. John is survived by nephews, Walter and Eddie; niece, Mary Woolwine; great-nieces, Rita Roberts and Sue Crotts; great-great-niece, Alley Crotts; and many friends, including his special friends, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Freeson, Kelly Murray, Bill Thomas, Carol Hall and Garnett Allison. "Uncle Denny, we love you and will miss you, our memories are precious and we thank you for each and every one. Give granny a kiss and we will see you soon!" Funeral services will be held Thursday, Sept. 30, 2010, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Reverend Adam Blackwell officiating. Graveside services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery, with military rites conducted by Marion VFW Post No. 4667. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 p.m. until the time of service at Seaver-Brown Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is serving the Alley Family.