Last Updated on May 6, 2026 5:11 pm
James Phillip (Phil) Smalling , a former Watauga County Commissioner passed away May 2, 2026. He was 83.
Smalling was also an Air Force veteran and worked in the maintenance department of Watauga County Schools.
While a member of the Watauga County Commissioners, in 1989, he led motions to limit the annexation powers of the Town of Seven Devils, and he opposed the bid to incorporate the community of Foscoe into a town, advocating instead for county-level support. He also remained involved in the community for years, including supporting the Hardin Park School playground project alongside his wife, Paula.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Green Valley Community Park on June 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Obituary courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
James Phillip Smalling (Phil) passed away May 2, 2026 at the age of 83. Phil will be remembered for his great smile, love of horses and yodeling cowboys. He served in the Air Force and worked in the Watauga County Schools maintenance department. He also served as a Watauga County commissioner.
Phil was preceded in death by his parents Denny and Mary Belle Smalling, his brother, Tom Smalling and a grandson, Jeffrey Cooper Smalling.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Paula: his sons Curtis and wife Mary, Greg and wife Stacie and daughter Tamara; his sister, Sharon Simpson and husband, Clarence; his brother, John Mark Smalling; and sister-in-law, Gay Smalling; grandsons, Kyle and wife Laura , Seth and wife Miranda, and his granddaughters Eve and Hanna, and 5 great grandchildren, Annabelle, Abel, Griffin, Cooper, and Elowen.
The family invites friends to join them in a Celebration of Life at Green Valley Community Park on June 19 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM to honor and remember Phil.
The family gives special thanks to Home Instead, Deerfield Memory Care and Amorem Hospice and Palliative Care.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes is serving the Smalling family
