John Denny Alley

Alley John Denny Alley, 93, died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, at his home in Marion. He was born May 25, 1917, in Smyth County to the late James Anderson and Mary Elizabeth Rainey Heniger Alley. He enlisted in the Army on 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. He participated in action in Normandy, Northern 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 Sergeant Brown say he needed a messenger and 1st Sergeant Cramer pointed at John and said, "There's a good one." He remained at headquarters until the war ended. Private First Class Alley was discharged Nov. 15, 1945. His decorations included: Purple Heart for a 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 longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Marion and a lifelong member of Marion VFW Post 4667. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Woodrow and Sherrill Alley, and four sisters, Mary Alice Booth, Sue Eggleston, Margaret "Mag" Totten and Elizabeth Lee. Survivors included nephews Walter, Eddie and Roger; nieces Mary Woolwine and Rita Roberts; great-niece Sue Crotts; great-great-niece Alley Crotts; many friends, including his special friends Mr. and Mrs. Robert Freeson, Kelly Murray, Bill Thomas, Carol Hall and Garnett Allison; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with the Rev. Adam Blackwell officiating. Graveside services were conducted Friday at 11 a.m. in Rose Lawn Cemetery with military rites conducted by Marion VFW Post 4667. The family received friends Thursday 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 was in charge of arrangements.