Mary Geneva Smalls

Mary Geneva Smalls,100, had her transition on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at Candler General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. A native of St. Helena Island, SC, she moved to Savannah as an infant and reared by her Aunt Mary until she was eight years old. Aunt Mary passed away and Geneva was re-united with her parents and five siblings on St. Helena Island, SC.

Always a ""city"" girl at heart, Geneva returned to Savannah at the age of fifteen, after completing her course of studies at the Historic Penn Center School in SC. On September 12, 1927, she was joioned in holy matrimony to the dashing Nathan Small of Lady's Island, SC. Before settling down, she traveled to New York City, where she studied and became a Master Chef. After perfecting her culinary skills, Geneva secured employment with the A and J Cohen, Sr. family, owner of Lady's Jane Shop, in Dsvsnnsh, GS. Her years of service with the Cohen family spanned over fifty years. Because of her love and dedication, she was regarded as family and remain endeared by, not only those lives she touched, but by subsequent generations as well.



geneva was a woman of many talents, and was a born seamstress whose handiwork was admired and sought after by all who knew her. During the mid fifties, she decided to attend an evening class, taught by Carl Reddick, who wa the Head Tailor for the J.C. Penney's Company. Upon completion of the class, she was awarded a Master Tailoring Centificate.

She was a faithful member of the First Friendship Missionary Baptist Church for over eight years. Her dedication to service included membership in the Choir and Deaconess Board of 2003. She was honored to be selected to the Mother Board of the Church.

Thoughout her life, Geneva was also a social butterfly. She enjoyed her family and friends and was affiliated with the Mutualetes Benevolent Society.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-seven )67_ years, Nathan Smalls, all of her siblings: Ethel, Marie, Theresa, Essie Mae and Chris, who was her only brother and was like a son, also her daughter, Thelma Smalls-Gibson.

She leaves to cherish her momories, her two daughters: Lillian Smalls of Charleston, SC, and Doretha Smalls-Connor(Clark); one son, Nathan ""Johnny"" Smalls; six grands and eight great-grands; one sister-in-law, Louise Wiggins(like a daughter); one god daughter, Eula Wiggins-Skinner; life long cousins; Levenia Wiggins-Brown, Tichard Wiggins (98 years old), and Agrippa ""Mackey"" Wiggins, a host of nieces, nephews, other extended relatives and friends.

Funeral service: 1:00pm. Saturday, September 27, 2008 at First Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 506 Hamilton Court, Savannah, GA 31401, Rev. Keith T. Bruen, Pastor/Eulogist.
Public viewing: Friday, September 26, 2008. In state 9:30am until hour of service. Interment: Laurel Grove Cemetery, Savnnah, GA.

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