Obituary of Deacon Robert Lee Smalls

Robert Lee Smalls was born to the late Luther and Katherine Lawrence Smalls on December 8, 1950, in Charleston, SC. He entered eternal rest on August 16, 2023, at his residence after months of declining health. Robert Lee attended the public schools in Charleston County and graduated from Baptist Hill High School in 1968. After graduation, he obtained his certification in Auto Mechanics. He accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Calvary AME Church on Edisto Island, South Carolina, until he relocated to Powhatan, Virginia. Upon moving to Powhatan, he became a Mount Zion Baptist Church member, serving faithfully as a Deacon, Usher, and Trustee on the James E. Robinson Memorial Choir, Home Bound Ministries, and the Men Ministries. Robert Lee loved working on cars. He was employed with Big-O Chevrolet as a mechanic and later owned Smalls Mobile Mechanic for ten years. He was also employed at Pep Boys and Firestone in Charleston, South Carolina. After he relocated to Powhatan, Virginia, Chesterfield County Schools employed him and later Powhatan County School District, from which he retired. On March 30, 1991, he was joined in holy matrimony to his "Lucy," Linda T. Smalls. Throughout life, he earned nicknames such as "Funny Looking" by Navonne and the late Shavonne, "Mr. Apple" by the late Mrs. Wright, "Trouble" by Lisa Thompson, "Mr. Handsome" by the elementary school children, "No.2 Mechanic" by Pastor Stevens, and "MY EVERYTHING" by none other than THEE Mrs. Linda Smalls and to him, she was his "Lucy." Robert Lee had a smile that would brighten up every room. This smile will always be remembered by his devoted wife, Linda T. Smalls; his five children, De Shawn M. Ketton (Cedric), Asa Nathaniel Smalls (Pamela), Robenia Y. SmallsChaplin (Spencer), Arlene C. Langhorne (Calvin), and Regina Smalls-Prioleau (Randall); his bonus daughter, Anne Morris-Anderson; 18 Grandchildren and 26 Great-Grandchildren; his siblings, Luther Smalls (Doris), Georgia Robinson, Margie Smalls "Anna Belle," Kathleen Smalls, William Smalls (Vita), and Bernard Smalls (Estille); two aunts, Adelle Simmons (James), and Gracie Lawrence Makins; In-laws, Mary Scruggs, Faurice Taliaferro (Barbara), George Taliaferro (Theresa), Willie Taliaferro (Georgianna), Beulah Smalls, and Henry Murray; a host of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, and great-grand nieces and nephews, and cousins; life-long friends, Carlton Gray, Deacon Alexander Jackson, Kenneth (Chicco) Scott, William (Cuffy) Brown; special friends, Anthony Hembrick and family, Ceasar and Emma Lewis, Charlie and Charlene Williams, Earl and Helen Hobson, Roger and Tracy Hobson, Joey and Audrey Mayo, Micheal and Gail Harriston, Lisa Thompson, Winfred Taylor, Chris and Linda Langhorn; a devoted brother-in-love and dear friend, Faurice Taliaferro. Robert Lee was preceded in death by his sister Almetta Smalls; his brothers, Nathaniel Smalls and Michael Jones; and sister-in-law, Lueveneary Strickland. In Loving Memory of a Very Special Husband When God was making husbands As far as I can see, He made a special soulmate Especially for me. He made a perfect gentleman, Compassionate and kind, With more love and affection Than you could ever wish to find. He gave my darling husband A heart of solid gold, Only my heart can hold, he was someone I could talk to That no one can replace, He was someone I could laugh with Till tears ran down my face. Next time we meet Will be at Heaven's door, When I see you standing there I won't cry anymore, I will put my arms around you And kiss your smiling face, Then the pieces of my broken heart Will fall back into place. Miss You So Much! Dad You held my When I was small You caught me when I fell The hero of childhood And latter years as well Everytime I think of you My heart just fills with pride And though I'll always miss you, Daddy I know you're by my side In laughter and in sorrow In sunshine and in rain I know you're watching over me Until we meet again. Dear Pop Pop, I just want to take this time to say thank you for all the love and kindness you have shown to me. I feel like a very lucky kid to have had a grandpa like you. I will miss you very much, but I know I will be able to see you again in Heaven. I will never forget all the fun times we had and me working you to exhaustion. I'm going to do my best to be happy because I know that you do not want me to be sad that you are gone. Thank you for being the best grandpa you possibly could be to me. I love you Pop Pop, I will see you later. Love, Michael Acknowledgements The family would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers during this time of bereavement. Special thanks to his caregiver, Sarah Speights, and her team with Bon Secours Hospice. In addition, many thanks to Mount Zion Baptist Church Family, including the Hospitality Committee, Audrey Mayo, Delphine Clarke, Lisa Thompson, and others.