Rufus Smalls

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Mr. Rufus "Johnny" Smalls, 64, of Cross, South Carolina, who transitioned on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at his residence. Please adhere to all COVID-19 precautions and guidelines when visiting the family and funeral home.  

Rufus Smalls LIfe Reflections

Rufus “Johnny” Smalls was born in Cross, South Carolina on January 1, 1960.  Fourth child born to Elijah Smalls, Sr. and the late Mary Spann Smalls. He entered eternal rest on Thursday, June 20, 2024.

Rufus lived in Cross most of his life and graduated from Cross High School, Class of 1978. He married Ms. Patricia Bennett on January 1, 1983; this union was blessed with two children. His most enjoyable moments were spent singing, sitting on the porch, fishing, hunting, watching old westerns, and his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys. At an early age he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was a very active member of Zion United Methodist Church.

After graduation Rufus enlisted with the Army National Guard and received his basic training at Fort Jackson; Company D – 8th Battalion. He was proud to be a Specialist 4 in Company C, 1st Battalion, 118th Infantry of the Army National Guard. He served faithfully for 5 years and received an honorable discharge in 1983.  He was then employed by Checker Moving and Storage for 2 years. He saw the need to advance his career and gained employment with The City of Goose Creek, a job he was very proud to say he started from the bottom and moved up the ladder to be the Supervisor of the Sanitation Department. Sadly, due to a life changing motorcycle accident in 2000, he became disabled. From there he became the beloved one-eyed bandit porch man and entered his final career as the self-proclaimed Mayor of Cross. Rufus loved to sing and was a very active member of The Spiritual Gospel Singers, The Southern Six, and the Zion Male Choir. He cherished his membership with the Jehovah Lodge No. 351 and Zion United Methodist Men.

Rufus was preceded in death by his mother, Mary P. Smalls; stepmother, Elaine Smalls; sister, Freezie Smalls; father & mother in-law, Henry & Annie Bennett; sister in-law Dorothy Be Speaks, brother in-laws, Terry Wages & Brutus Jones, and niece Mary Smalls.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Patricia B. Smalls, children, Anita P. Smalls and R. Justin Smalls Jr. His father, Elijah Smalls Sr. His siblings: Elijah (Christine) Smalls Jr., Shirley Smalls-Wages, Viola Smalls, Curtis (Carolyn) Smalls, Alison Smalls. Uncles & Aunts: Nehemiah Smalls, Mary Johnson, Jake Spann, Leroy Spann, Jim (Naomi) Spann, Rev. Silas (Betty) Spann, Isaac Spann, Rev. Kelly Spann Sr. (Senovia), Deloris (Charles) Howard, Carrie (Roger) Milligan; In-Laws: Tim (Richardine) Ferguson, Mattie Bennett, Tonny (Naomi) Bennett, Francis (Camisa) Bennett, Pearline (Tim) McNeill, Mary (Harry) Brown, Minnie Bennett, Johnny (Pamela) Bryant, &  Ronald Speaks and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rufus Smalls, please visit our floral store.