Ethel Smalls

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Ethel Smalls, 95, of Bowie, Maryland, and formerly Cross, South Carolina, transitioned on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Maryland. Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and guidelines when visiting the family and funeral home. Masks are recommended, but not required. 

Ethel A. Smalls Life Reflections

Ethel A. Smalls, one of eight children born to Presiding Elder Theodore Anderson and Leslie Middleton (both parents deceased) of Cross, South Carolina, was born October 22, 1929.

She attended Zion Elementary School that later became known as Central School in Cross. She graduated from J.K. Gourdin High School in Russellville, South Carolina and attended Voorhees Jr. College in Denmark, SC and Fayetteville State College which later became Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in December 1951. She taught first grade during the Spring of 1952 and was hired to teach grade five at Zion Elementary School in Cross.

When Zion School closed and Central School became the new consolidated area school, she taught seventh grade and later teacher/librarian. She later became the full-time librarian after becoming certified in Library Science. In 1961, she received a master’s degree from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C. and in June 1986 after having served thirty-three years in Berkley County Department of Education, she retired from the school system.

During the summer of 1954 on July 17th, Ethel and Nathan Smalls of Frogmore, South Carolina were united in Holy Matrimony and were married for 49 years at the time of his passing. To this union, they have four sons: Rev Kenneth Myron, Pastor Jonathan Ira, Vincent Earl, and Rev Dr. Rodney Derek.

Ethel A. Smalls was brought up in Antioch Pentecostal First Born Church in Cross but joined St. Joseph Baptist Church on St. Helena Island with her husband Nathan. In the meantime, since both were employed by Berkley County, they joined Unity Baptist Church in Eutawville. As a member of Unity Baptist Church, she taught the Sunday School Class for 45 years, sang on the Senior Choir, served as President of Old Ashley Women’s Missionary Auxiliary of the Old Ashley Baptist Association, Past Matron of the Jehovah Chapter #203 Order of the Eastern Stars, Prince Hall Affiliate of South Carolina, a Life Member of SCEA, the NEA and the NAACP. After her retirement from the school system, she became a member of the Berkeley Retired Educators group and served as secretary for one term. She also joined the Cross Rural American Red Cross.

After moving to Dayton in 2013 with her son Kenneth and family, she joined the New Season Ministry under watch care under the leadership of Rev. Dr. K.O. Johnson. She later moved to Harrisburg, PA in 2018 to be with her son Rev. Dr. Rodney Smalls and his family. She also joined New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church under watch care where Rev. Dr. Smalls is the pastor. Mrs. Smalls then moved to Bowie, MD in 2023 to be with her son, Pastor Jonathan and his family and remained in Maryland until her passing.

She leaves to mourn her passing four sons: Kenneth Myron (Andrea), Jonathan Ira (Lila), Vincent Earl (Annette), and Rodney Derek (Velda); fourteen grandchildren; Grandsons: Johnathan Jr. (Lakeisha), David (Janelle), Andrew, Wesley, Joshua, Jaron, Matthew, Caleb, and Samuel; Granddaughters: Hope, Anissa, Ashley, and Valerie; Charity preceded her in death; One great grandson, David II  and 3 great granddaughters: Kyleah, Kaidence, and Ariannah; one brother, Theodore Anderson (Eva) of Harlem, New York; sisters-in-law: Sally Anderson of Portland, Oregon, Matilda Derrick (Jeptha) of Batesburg, SC, and Gloria Smalls of Richmond, VA; brothers-in-law: Wesley Smalls of St. Helena, SC, Oscar Smalls of Woodbridge, VA, and Franklin Smalls (Peggy) of Hughesville, MD; godchildren: Dale Washington, Arthur O. Howard, Pamela Singleton, DeAndre’ Thompson, and close friends to name a few: Geraldine Smith, Brenda Mull, Julia Wright and Missionary Mariah Wigfall, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other close relatives and friends.

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