My Times Are In Thy Hand

A Time To Be Born
On a warm summer day in the year of 1918 and the month of July on the 30th day a handsome baby boy was born to the late Diana (Seabrooks) and Sam Smalls in Parkersferry, SC and they named him Joseph Smalls. He was the eighth child of fourteen. He was raised by his oldest sister Elizabeth (Irene) Smalls and then he later moved to Georgia with the Greens and stayed there until he became an adult and moved to Florida. He later changed his name to Joe Small.

A Time To Learn
Deacon Small attended school in Parkersferry, SC in his early years through sixth grade.

A Time To Love
At a very young age Joe met and married his first wife Anna Bell. He later moved to Clewiston and met the love of his life Idella Hall. They were united in holy matrimony and stayed together until her passing in October, 1973. To this union, 5 beautiful and blessed kids were born (Jeannette, Josephine, Joe Jr., Henry, and Charles). After being single for several years, he asked the Lord to send him a companion and boy did He. God sent him an angel in Beatrice Carter Watkins, and they stayed united until she passed in December, 1993. Deacon Small inherited a beautiful daughter named Annie from this union.

A Time To Work
When he came to Florida, he began working with the Cane Company until he went into the United States Army. He served in the United States Army from 1943 - 1945. He fought in World War II. Yes, he is a World War II Veteran. After serving his country he came to Clewiston, Florida and began working for United States Sugar Cooperation as a field worker and later a Yardmen Supervisor. He worked with USSC for 41 years from September 4, 1946 until he retired on July 1, 1987.

A Time To Serve
Being raised in a Christian home, he thirst for knowledge and went on a quest to learn more about our Lord and Savior. He united with the Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church of Ritta Village under the leader of Rev Floyd Keys and now under the leadership of Rev Eddie J. Walker. He served as Home Mission Teacher, Sunday School Teacher, Assistant Bible Study Class Teacher, and Chairman of Deacon Board. He served faithfully and was devoted to serving the Lord. His last worship with the Mt. Olive Church Family was May 29th, 2016. This was our First Sunday in our new sanctuary. In this service, Deacon Small led prayer and sung I Learned How to Lean and Depend on Jesus.

The Journey Home
Deacon Small made his transition from this earthly tabernacle, to his home in glory at 6:00 on Friday, October 14, 2016 in the stillness and quietness at Hendry Regional Hospital in Clewiston, Florida. Deacon Small has passed from labor to reward. WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT

The Family Legacy
Daughters: Jeannette Graham (preceded him in death), Josephine Brown (deceased and going home together), Annie Relph, Rev. Rosa Haynes (niece he raised) Laurita Small (Granddaughter he raised and Caretaker); Sons: Joe (Sara) Small, Henry (Linda) Small, Charles (Pamela) Small, Deacon Johnny (Mae) Atkins, and Rev. Gary (Harriett) McNealy (sons he adopted); Son-In-Law: Leslie (Dawn) Graham; Living Brother: Moses Smalls Sr.; Grandchildren: Charles and Lascelle Humphrey, Harriett Williams, Joyce (Lee) Wilson, Barbara (Tyrone) Houston, Jacqueline Relph, Reuben (Anglia) Relph, Tamika (Devin) Gresham, Monique Relph, Joe Small III, Gregory Small, Calvin Small, Cornelius Small, Ashley Small, Jermaine Small, Demetrius Small, Dwight Collins, Teresa Small, Koran Small, Shaun Small, Charles P (Megan) Small, Nicole Small, Idella Small, Mesfin Small, Yi'Andria (Larry) Curry, Adrian (Yalonda) Arnold, Terrance Gadson, Janice Thicklin, Laverne Roundtree, Elaine Smothers, Latorsha Harris Green, Cynthia Collins, Slyvester Harris, Brenda Thomas, Kashara Johnson, Charkita Pugh, Gwenda Hall, Daniel Thornton, Elizabeth Mann, Andrea Lyman, Sharon Holman, Christine Graham, Phyllis and Kathleen Graham, Harria (Rhoan), Kerry (Janet) Graham, Beatrice Smith, Colenthia Wilson, Juanita Anderson, and Carlton Graham; Special Great Grandchildren: La'Trell Smalls-Rainey, Janeria Patrick, Sonja Camel, Nikhiea Pugh, Chakayla Thicklin, Jasmine Humphries, Ja'Leesa Relph, , Delbert Clarke, Andre Brown, Rev. Randy (Lakisha) Burden Jr., Jerry Thicklin, Walter Thicklin, Ja'Quavious Thicklin, Justin Thicklin, De'Arial (Lil Willie) and Tarik Denmark, and Elijah Williams; Special Great, Great Grands: La'Trell Smalls Jr. and Le'Morris Camel Jr.; Special Nephews: Norris (Charlene) Smalls, Robert Smalls, Jr., James (Otis) Smalls, Esau (Christine) Brown, Harrison (Andria) Downs, Isaac (Lanie) Smalls, Pastor Lewis Hall, and Moses Smalls Jr.; Special Nieces: Marian Jenkins-Moien, Lutrell Richardson, Claudia (James) McPherson, Latissa Brown, Latonya Smalls, Barbara (Dave) Campbell, Geraldine Singleton, Denise (James) Ladson, Emily Green, Diane West-Walker, Kathy West-Randall, Vonda Smalls and Patricia West; People Who Were Special to Deacon Small: Rev. Eddie J. & Sis. Aretha Walker, Deacon George Anderson, Deacon Cobb Lyman, Deacon David Burden, Deacon Walter (Maebell) Sholtz, Rev. Carl Brooks, Rev. Gerald Idfill, Bishop T.N. (Catherine) Granville, Rev. Alvin Smalls, Rev. Alonzo McKenzie, Rose Burden, Bertha Reynolds, Elouise Walker, Ernest Reynolds, Janet Taylor, Linda Henry, Ronnie Garrett, Allie Biggs, Marion Warren, Helen Boyd, Teresa Bynes, Gennie Taylor, James Davis, Juanita Anderson, Belinda Ford, Wilehelmenia Jacobs, Pat Thicklin, Charley Johnson, Helena Reid, Alma Baity, Phillip Stinson, Sandra Mansfield, Randy Burden Sr., Mary Henderson, Annie Williams, Betty Marshall, Coriee Maing, Sebrena Winn, Arie Singleton, Vivian Willingham, Melvin Jones, Tara (James) Evans, Alice Brown, Robert Moore, The Stinson's, The Mount Olive and Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Families, Ritta Village and Nassau Quarter Families. He has forty (40) Great-Grands, thirteen (13) Great- Great Grands and a host of sorrowing nieces, nephews and friends.

A special thanks to the staff of Hendry Regional Hospital, Palms West Hospital, Hope Hospice, Clewiston Nursing Home and Rehab, and Nurse Julie of ACE Health Care.
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