Ms. Alberta Small

Alberta (Johnson) Small was born October 30, 1933, in Lexington, Mississippi. Born to the late Allen and Lillie Bell Newman Johnson, she was the second child of seven siblings – Idella, Allen, Estella, Corine, Bernice and Daisy. At a young age, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. She told the story of standing by the chimney outside her parents’ home singing and praising God to the point of having to stop herself because she felt herself beginning to soar. At the age of 18, Alberta met her husband, John Eddie Small, from Horn Lake Mississippi, a rural community some 140 miles away from Lexington. Alberta however, would meet him almost 750 miles away in Detroit, Michigan. Life would take them back to Mississippi where they married on March 8, 1954. John and Alberta moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where their eldest son Randy was born and then to Cleveland, Ohio. It was there that Gloria, Timmy, Linda, and John were born. In Cleveland, she raised her children and assisted in raising her baby sister Daisy, due to the passing of their mother – Lillie Bell. In Cleveland she raised her children while working hard at St. Lukes Hospital, at Montefiore Nursing Home alongside her sister Idella and her mother’s sister – the late Mary Dufreeze. She was a private duty nurse to Alex and Catherine Nason. Alex was a co-founder of Lubrizol Corporation. She took great pride in providing exceptional care to the Nason’s and used her nursing skills to care for many family members, neighbors and friends. Alberta was formally educated in the Mississippi school system, yet it was her informal education –resourcefulness, wisdom, intuition, and life skills that made the perfect friend, mentor, and life coach to endless people in her circle of influence. She was truly amazing, blessed beyond measure and exemplified a servant mentality. Mom had many special talents – cooking, sewing, doing hair, crocheting, landscaping, and gardening, and used her gifts to enhance the lives of those around her. She was a wonderful babysitter and loved all children. At Alberta’s house, there was always plenty of food, because she grew it straight from the ground. Mom believed that you were nearest to God in a garden than any other place on earth. The garden was where her soul found ease. She was handy with a sewing needle and would make clothing for herself and her family. Just like many women of her era, she learned to navigate the North with values and abilities many now take for granted. Alberta and John were married for 17 years – and she lost her loving husband to a fatal accident, when John Eddie Small passed away on Monday, December 27, 1971. Over the last eight years, Alberta’s health declined but her faith never wavered. He appreciated all the blessings the Lord gave her and she continually prayed and asked that God keep her on the path of righteousness. Still the garden continues to grow in the lives of those she touched along the way. A small legion of family, friends, and loved ones will think of her fondly, treat others kindly, and do it better because the servant, Alberta Small, a Proverbs 31 Woman, planted a few seeds of love in their direction. She leaves to cherish her memory: Randy E. Small, Gloria Small- (Arnold) Lockett, Linda Small, Tim (Shauntel) Small, and John E. Small; Goddaughter Tanya Malone, Idella Herndon, Allen (Ann) Bilal, Bernice Jones, and Daisy (Alvin) McDaniels; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nichole, Chanel (Andre Sr.), Tim Jr., Avery, Brandon, Christopher, Andrea, Joshua, Jamir, Jaylen, Jakara, Alicia, Andre Jr., Aidan, Andrew, Morgan, Mariah, Deja and John-John and a host of relatives and friends who will always hold her dear to their hearts and miss her sincerely.

Ms. Alberta Small

October 22, 1933 - October 11, 2017