Kayreitha D. Smalls

Kayreitha Divan Smalls, affectionately known as “Auntie Kay” and “Nana Kay,” was born on August 31, 1940, in Zebulon, North Carolina, to the late Otha and Irene High. She lived a life marked by love, faith, service, and joy. As a child, Kay attended Wakefield Baptist Church and spent treasured time with her grandparents. It was in their loving care that she gained life skills, wisdom, and a deep sense of family and faith. From them, she embraced the values of hard work, hospitality, and resilience; principles that became the foundation of her life. 

Kay pursued higher education at the historic Shaw University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education. During her time there, she stood out as a high-stepping majorette, was crowned Miss Sophomore, and fulfilled a dream of becoming a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In 1964, she met the love of her life, Joseph Smalls, Jr., whose dance moves and charm swept her off her feet. Sharing the same birthday two years apart, they married on November 8, 1964, beginning a beautiful union that lasted 61 years. From their love, they are blessed with two children, Daryl and Dara Smalls. 

Kay’s passion for education led her to serve over 30 years with the White Plains City School District, where she served as a master educator and mentor, shaping thousands of lives across Westchester County, N.Y.. Colleagues admired her sharp wit, her unwavering commitment to her students, and her legendary insistence on proper grammar. Her legacy lives on in every student she taught and every life she inspired.  

Outside the classroom, Kay was a woman of many talents. A gifted seamstress, her skill is treasured by all who benefited from it. She loved puzzles, was a fierce competitor in Scrabble, and especially enjoyed playing Bid Whist with “the girls,” often running a Boston with flair. Kay enjoyed bowling and was a member of many local leagues. Whether aiming for a strike or sharing laughs, the lanes were one of her happy places. Above all, she loved her family deeply, always giving of herself with a generous, fun-loving spirit. 

Kay was predeceased by her parents, Otha and Irene High, and her brother, Stanley High (Dotty High of R.I.). She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband of 61 years, Joseph Smalls Jr.; her son Daryl Smalls and grandsons Jarren Smalls, Josiah Smalls (great-granddaughter Chloe Smalls), Jordan Smalls, and Darius Smalls; her daughter Dara Smalls; and her beloved godson, Kobie Powell. She is also survived by her sister Judy Jones (N.J.); sisters-in-law Delores Smalls and Norma Smalls-Mantey (Samuel Mantey, of M.D.); and a host of cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.  

Kay’s unwavering sense of right and wrong, her infectious laughter, her great sense of humor, and her unending positivity will never be forgotten. She loved her family fiercely, shared her gifts generously, and brought light and love into every room she entered. Her legacy is one of love, strength, and service—a life well lived and a heart that touched so many.

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ATTENTION: During the continuing COVID & various health concerns, as we phase back into smaller capacity public visitations/services, we need your help in limiting/controlling the number of people, so please govern yourself accordingly for the health & safety of all. Thank you so kindly!

A Wake/Visitation/Viewing will be held on Thursday August 7th 2025, from 10:00AM-11:00AM, followed by Funeral Service at 11:00AM all at Calvary Baptist Church. But the Church will be live-streaming the services on Calvary's FACEBOOK & YOUTUBE pages on Thursday 8/7/25, also available on our website the day of the service Below where it says Stream, so you're able to view on there or here also/instead. So you may come to the Church to attend, & feel free to wear masks. At the very least you can get hand sanitizer & sign the register book (NOTE: please feel free to bring your own pen). If not at capacity, you will be allowed in to have a seat; but if at capacity by the time you get there, you may be required to leave the premises after signing register book, so as not to be in violation nor cause a health hazard, so please govern yourself accordingly. Regardless of if you're able to enter/be seated, or not, please refrain from too much touching/hugging/handshaking, preferably elbow bumping briefly if at all. If instructed, PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY leave the building & premises if the church is at their capacity. PLEASE KINDLY RESPECTFULLY follow & abide by the directions of the funeral home staff and/or church or cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of the services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the funeral home and/or church, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of Kayreitha Smalls entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Smalls Family during their time of bereavement.

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Please leave written condolences now herein on the Memory Wall to express your sorrow, share your memories, and as an expression of sympathy & way to communicate with/offer comfort to the family, that they and others may see, and may be a lasting tribute in her honor, whether you're able to attend or not. Definitely Please SIGN IN on the Memory Wall as a virtual way of signing the register book, especially if choosing to stay safe/watch remotely/not able to sign in person.

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Please feel free to come to the church wearing a mask, & feel free to wear a mask inside the church &/or at cemetery, and social distance as much as possible. If you know you have a coronavirus/COVID-19; are sick/experiencing symptoms of coronavirus/COVID-19/Measles; are immuno-compromised and/or have health/other conditions that make your body more susceptible to illness, please do NOT attend any services nor come to any facility. Please feel free to bring & use your own pen for signing the family's register book - you are encouraged to please BRING & use your own PEN for signing. Please follow & abide by the rules of the church, and directions of the funeral home staff and/or church & cemetery personnel at all times. We Thank You in advance for following directions & any policies, so as to make all go smoothly the day of services, to eliminate further burden on the family, and to maintain the health & safety of All. Any questions, or if any clarity is needed, please call ahead to the church and/or funeral home, and/or speak to us from a safe distance if present.

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In lieu of flowers & as a lasting tribute, the family kindly suggests a contribution be made in her name/memory/honor to: Mt. Hope AME Zion Church (do on your own to them at - 65 Lake Street, White Plains, NY 10604, #1-914-948-6372), and/or to: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (may be done simply through the donation tab/link here in website at the bottom of this page, or on your own). You may also plant a tree in her name/memory/honor, as another form of condolence, or simply make a donation as previously specified. If sending flowers despite the family's request, they may be delivered on either Wednesday August 6th 2025 between 9:00AM-12:00PM to Calvary Baptist Church and/or by/before 6:00PM to Lee's Funeral Home on Wed.; or on Thursday August 7th by/before 9:45AM to Calvary Baptist Church. The Family Thanks You!