Victoria Lynn Smallwood

July 16, 1961 - April 29, 2021

Victoria Lynn Smallwood, a caring wife, mother, nana, sister, aunt and friend, passed from her family's embrace to her heavenly home on April 29th at the age of 59 due to complications related to Covid 19. Vicki was born in Naples, Italy to Veronica Franckowiak and Richard Gelvin on July 16th,1961. She grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Exeter Township Senior High School in 1979, Vicki began a career in the insurance industry. Through hard work and dedication, she was recognized as a leader within the Insurance Women of America Community culminating with elections in the Central Valley chapter. Vicki met her soulmate, James Smallwood, while working together at Lewis and Associates Insurance Brokers in 1996. Over the course of six years, what began as a friendship developed into a storybook romance. They were married, surrounded by their children, on August 17th, 2002. Vicki and Jim were happiest when they were alone together. In their spare time, they enjoyed golf, yachting and traveling in their RV. Vicki is best described as a proud wife, mother, and nana. She was a woman who always carried herself with the utmost class and elegance. Her faith was very important to her and she raised all of her children in the church. Five days before she left us, while in the hospital, she watched her preferred church service; Visalia First Assembly via live stream. Vicki's life purpose was to be a mother & adoring wife. While working full time, she garnered the strength and mental fortitude needed to raise seven independent, happy, and successful children who always knew that they could come to her for guidance without judgment. Vicki's pride in her family is reflected in a home filled with framed family pictures and cherished mementos handed down from generations. Her greatest enjoyment was when all of her children and grandchildren visited and shared meals around the family table. Vicki's life did not come without incredible obstacles that she persevered through with her head held high. After the loss of her son Joshua, in 2010, she was the force who held her family together. Vicki is survived by her mother Veronica; her brother Terry; sisters Tiffani and Ashley; her Uncle Dennis; her husband James Smallwood; her children Kendra, Chelsea, Katlyn, Jordan, Eddie and Zachary, and her bonus children Dustin Boudakian, Stan Hu, Kreg Brase, and Kelly Smallwood. She also leaves behind her five grandchildren: Mason, Leila, Amelia, Benson and Joshua James. Saying that Vicki will be greatly missed is an understatement. However, we are all confident that we will see her again and know that she will be extremely proud of the lives that we will continue to lead in her honor. Celebration Of Life services will be held 2:00 PM Friday, May 7th, 2021 at Visalia Country Club, 625 N. Ranch St., Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.