Life Reflections

     Deacon Emeritus Herbert Leon Small was born October 29, 1921 in Cottageville, South Carolina to the late Roger Robert and Ethel Mae Nesbitt Small.  He transitioned from this earthly life on Sunday, August 7, 2016 at McCormick Rehabilitation and Health Center in McCormick, South Carolina.  He was preceded in death by his wife Florrie L. Brown Small and three sisters; Bessie Small, Alma Campbell, and Ernestine Holmes.

 

     Deacon Small grew up in the Burr Hill Community of Cottageville and was educated in the public schools of Colleton County. He was a hard worker and demonstrated entrepreneurial skills throughout his life.

 

     He spent many years as a cement finisher; traveling to many states including Tennessee, Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., and Ohio.  Evidence of some of his work will be forever with America in projects he worked on at Fort Knox, The Smithsonian Museum and Institute, and Cape Kennedy. After many years of traveling, his final employment was with Ruscon Construction Company in Charleston, SC where he retired in 1986.

 

     Deacon Small was a lifelong member of Canaan Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon and served faithfully in this capacity until his health began to fail. He also served as a member of the Building Committee and the Men's Ministry.

 

     He not only served in his church, but was active in his community as well.  Deacon Small was always willing to lend a helping hand, share advice and share the fruits of his homegrown crops.

 

     Deacon Small enjoyed farming, gardening, raising livestock (“his pets”), and sitting in his yard under the 100 year old oak trees.  He was particularly fond of thoroughly reading the newspaper and watching the evening news after a long day.  He prepared the family breakfast every morning with the exception of Sunday which was his day off.

 

     On Saturday afternoons, Deacon Small usually went out for pizza, fish at Captain D’s, or wings and potato wedges at The Forks. The meal was always followed by a trip to Wal-mart for the purpose of either sitting on the bench inside the front doors or sitting in the truck to “people watch”.

 

He leaves to cherish his memories three children:  Alfreda Spearman, Hodges, SC; Vincent (Pamela) Small, Conyers, Ga; Sabrina (Herman) Gladney, Stafford, Va; four grandchildren: LaTonya (James) Washington, Charlotte, NC; Kedric (Vanessa) Spearman, Fort Mill, SC; Jelonda Gladney, Stafford, Va; Jonathan Gladney, Alexandria, Va; three great-grandchildren:  Zaria and Chandler Washington, Charlotte, NC; Addison Spearman, Fort Mill, SC; a devoted caregiver; Thomasina Williams, Walterboro, SC and a host of other loving relatives and caring friends.